within the ice

Glacier.3291.113005.5D

The Mendenhall Glacier has a lake at the terminus that freezes every year in early November. As the lake surface freezes, with a layer of crystal clear ice, the surface water sinks to warmer depths where gases begin to come out of solution and rise to the surface where they are trapped under the ice. As it gets colder, the ice freezes deeper, encapsulating the bubbles and forming frosted formations. The opportunity to photograph these wonderful creations, only visible until the first snowfall, lasts a few precious days a year.

copyright Micheal Francis Kelly 2005-2011