Winter in the Wind River Canyon is an adventure.  A snowstorm may be frightening with a cold wind that is indescribable.  It rips through this "bottom-of-the-freezer" faster than the freight trains, with a sound that drowns them out as they snake their way through this beautiful Wyoming canyon.  We could be stranded, unable to trek the dozen miles into the nearest town; maybe without electricity.  

     The first major snowstorm of the season came crashing through on Thanksgiving Day, with our first snap of temperatures in the low teens.  With the wind-of-the-storm the snow seems to tear at your face.  But there is a wonderful benefit to these horrendous winter storms; wildlife is forced down nearer to us, and icefalls begin to form.

     I've had three shoots, in as many days, with a very pretty female Downy Woodpecker that doesn't cooperate at all.  She makes a lousy model as I sneak around trying to get "the shot" I see in my head.  Out of the nearly 200 frames shot so far, I have one that I really like----sort of; she may or may not make it to my Hogbats Photography website; it may be up to her at this point.

     Winter in the Wind River Canyon creates one of Mother Nature's most intriguing formations, the famous icefalls.  These waterfalls of ice are a winter favorite, and most are completely inaccessible.  This belies the fact that it's illegal to climb them, because we are surrounded by the enormous Wind River Indian Reservation.  They are difficult, if not impossible to get near, but are a rare beauty in winter.  My favorite icefall is just around the "Bend-in-the-Wind" from our place. Wind River Canyon IcefallPhotograph of an Icefall in the Wind River Canyon, Wyoming.

     Early in winter this particular icefall (one of dozens) takes on a flower-like appearance, and will morph with storms and the usual mid-day melting.  You will notice the geology and how water has sculpted the cliff.  Also notice the huge crack that descends the left side of the icefalls.  What will the future of this formation look like?  

     Most of the icefalls in the Wind River Canyon are not easily visited.  They are usually far from any parking and it's going to be a long, cold hike; even colder on the way back, or so it will seem.  Camera batteries become useless unless kept warm, as do my fingers!  On one occasion last Fall my fingertips were blue by the time I made it back inside my cabin.  I wasn't going to be out that long, and damn it was colder than I thought!

     If your one of the brave that drive through the Wind River Canyon in winter, then congratulations are in order; it can be a dangerous place.  It has taken the lives of people I respected. Slow down and take a few pleasant moments, and discover a few of the beautiful icefalls in the Wind River Canyon for yourself; and don't forget the binoculars.

     Wind River Canyon Blog and all photography by Michael John Balog - Hogbats Photography, Wind River Canyon, Wyoming.

HogbatsPhotography.com/Wind River Canyon Blog and Photographs/all rights reserved.

Thank you once again for your time.

MjB