It’s been a generally mild winter this year, so we are still waiting for snow cover, and one of our favorite experiences of the year at Schlitz Audubon; ice-canoes and other ice formations along the Lake Michigan shoreline. While we are anticipating these key icons of winter to arrive, beautiful icicles have formed on driftwood, shrubs, fallen trees, and on the sand along our shore.
The textures of the ice are mesmerizing to observe. Some ice has turned a milky color, while other ice along the shore is completely translucent revealing the texture and color of the bark and driftwood underneath. Layers upon layers are forming as the waves crash and deposit a little more water ready to freeze.
Visit this week and observe the ever-changing nature of winter along the shore.
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis, a member of the sparrow family who resides in Milwaukee in Winter.
Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis, a winter resident.
