Shelbyville Sunset / Christmas

First up, Merry Christmas and thank you for your support. Hoping that yours was filled with good memories however you chose to spend the time. Our holiday was a roller coaster of sorts with good experiences occurring while countered by the not so pleasant including appliance, plumbing and vehicle issues. In trying to remain positive which has been a challenge after having missed an epic sunset on Christmas Eve, I was hoping for another photo opportunity of equal intensity but it did not quite happen. Upon watching satellite trends on the 26th in the hope that a mid to high level cloud deck might do it over Lake Shelbyville, I went for a drive.

















As the final light waned, I considered remaining down along the water so to catch the International Space Station rising at 6:13 PM CDT from the NW. I would skip doing so and in turn, miss an incredible bright green fireball to the N and traveling E to W at 6:01 PM that I was still fortunate to witness while driving. Since I shoot continuous to make night sky composites, I would have been pointed in the right direction and most likely caught it. SEEN HERE on security camera video from North Liberty Iowa, it would have been a crowning achievement on what has felt like a string of disappointments this year but alas, these things are pure luck. A few other images from over the holiday period include a pair of snowflakes with a squall to drop through on Monday afternoon and a predawn boundary out ahead of a burst of snow on Christmas morning while hoping for an epic sunrise that never came.

Freezing Rain Advisory

Being on the unexciting periphery of flood warnings to the south and winter storm warnings to the north, I spent a little time with our light freezing rain from Saturday morning. Per the end ice spike, I was able to see it 'grow' with small bubbles ascending inside while the protrusion slowly descended. The droplet was no larger than a kernel of corn.

Northern Harrier

With an air temperature of around 50°F, Friday morning felt more like mid April than late December. Cumulus puffs catching the first light also created an ideal backdrop for a Northern Harrier to parallel my route for a time.

Freezing Fog

Although the last snowfall is but a slushy memory at the time of this post, abundant moisture at the surface underneath a weak high pressure system coupled with temperatures in the mid 20's resulted in an impressive freezing fog event for the region late Monday night into Tuesday morning.











I would end up at Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton Illinois


















A heavy snow squall would move in as was leaving the park.






By the time skies cleared to reveal a beautiful blue sky, I was cold and heading back but not before capturing the contrasted fog layer minus an interesting subject as there were none to be had where I was.

December 13-14 Snowfall

The most recent snowstorm during this busy start to the season dumped roughly six inches at the locations I visited including along the Sangamon River and then later at Fairview Park of Decatur Illinois. The ducks were particularly entertaining to watch as they struggled through the snow. A few began venturing towards me but upon realizing I had no food, they waddled away in disappointment. Sorry guys, maybe next time!

Cold Swim

With a temperature of 6°F yesterday morning, I stopped by the river to see if there was any ice or steam phenomena. After waiting around for awhile, three deer emerged from the brush and casually waded across like it was nothing.









Later at sunset...








In other news, Ava asked me to draw a picture for her.