Tidal snow and ice

A snow pedestal slowly melts at the base during high tide. Temperatures just under freezing keep it standing during low tide. Gone soon.

As winter loosens its frigid grasp on the North Atlantic, ice and snow slowly disappear, as the warmth of the spring sun intensifies. On the first day of spring, I walked along a rocky beach in Maine and came across beautiful snow structures sculpted by the tides, many slipping toward the bay, while others remained in place, but soon to be melted and join the icy water of Blue Hill Harbor. Each day there is less left standing, and I was fortunate to be able to capture some of nature's icy sculptures and patterns before they are lost to spring.

All photos © 2015 by John R Stiles. All rights reserved. It is illegal to use any of the images without permission. For inquiries about sales or one time or multiple use, please contact the author at stilesphoto@yahoo.com.

Sensuous curves result from the changing tides

Snow Sphinx

A shelf finally breaks as the ice below it is melted away

Hardy algae clings to a boulder, staying alive through the winter.

A scallop shell is temporarily trapped beneath the ice.