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Friday, March 7, 2014

The Last of the Snow Flakes?

It almost looks like a milk weed pod opening up, doesn't it?
But it's a leaf holding a cluster of snow flakes!




Too bad I couldn't capture the detail of the flakes as good
   as Wilson Bentley.  He was an American farmer
and snow crystal photomicrographer who
captured over 5000 snow crystal images and ultimately
published 2000 of them in a book in 1931.
I have to write a post about him every winter!
It's tradition! haha...and since winter is almost over, here it is!


The detail of his photos is really amazing considering
the primitive instruments he had to work with
between 1890 and 1930.
A camera hooked up to a microscope,
laying the flakes on a black board outside, and
working quickly before they were damaged or melted.


Wilson Bentley
1865-1931



  • Sparkly
  • Nippy
  • Occurrences of
  • Winter.
  • Frozen,
  • Light and
  • Airy
  • Kisses on my
  • Eye lashes 
 ♥

    63 comments:

    1. its pretty crazy what they could see...
      not the last for me...we are set to get another storm tonight.

      dad is coming home as well...smiles.
      now to get him to follow the doctors orders. oh my.

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      1. More snow for you? It's got to be some kind of record!
        Glad dad gets to come home. Good luck with the rules. lol....

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      2. yeah i might need it...

        and speaking of RULES

        it rules being on top
        while the cat drools below

        hi pat

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      3. lol....the cat was slow
        while you stole the show!

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      4. Pffft to the gawker
        Stuff him in a locker

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      5. He would still gawk, you know.
        Right through those little vent holes.

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    2. I love your little snowcup - how precious! And I always look forward to the snowflake post. So intricate and pretty. Mother Nature - c'est incroyable!

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      1. Aren't they amazing? I wonder if there really are never two identical ones!

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    3. Amazing photo! I like to think no two snowflakes are alike...like us humans : )

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      1. P.S. I like your header picture with the goldfish swimming in a sea of tomato. Makes me hungry for tomato soup.

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      2. that's a great way of thinking of it,....people don't think it's possible, but look at humans...

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    4. Bentley's photos really are amazing. But I like the artistry of your shot, too.

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      1. Well, thanks Yuji! At least you can see the flakes are crystal like. ha.

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    5. Those snowflakes are amazing and quite remarkable. Did I read somewhere that snowflakes are all different shapes or did I dream this? Someone can probably name them all as well.

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      1. I don't know where that idea came from, (no two snowflakes are the same) but I mentioned one year that I did believe it and most did not agree with me, saying that it was impossible and not able to be proven. But Domino's Pizza just said recently that they have 34 million different pizza topping combinations. So, it doesn't seem a far stretch to think snow flakes could have a more endless variety! haha. And yeah....some 'one' could do it...and name them! :)

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      2. And now I want pizza!!!!!!!!!!

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      3. 34 million different pizzas. Gosh imagine trying to eat that lot to compare them!! lol
        I've found three articles on the web which say snowflakes are all different. Here's one http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/alike/alike.htm
        Makes us think doesn't it?
        Likes your photo as well of the diminishing snowflakes. Must be a bit warmer on the WigWams now if there are ant still around.

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      4. Crumbs my trying went all funny in last comment

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      5. haha....no wigwam here...I've upgraded. lol....

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      6. Suza...I could eat pizza anytime!

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      7. Me too - it's my favourite food. Just had some last night at a party and could still eat it today! Yum.

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      8. You're both making me hungry! I want a Pizza too!

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      9. haha...what are your favorite toppings?

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      10. Don't mind - any of the 34 million take your pick and I'll treat us!! YUMMY

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      11. It's a deal! I'm not picky, either....any combination is fine with me! But let me call in the order. If you do it, they'll head for Australia! hahaha.....

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      12. Comments crossed
        One gone off bacon pizza via Australia

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      13. That's fine...I like it cold, too! lol....

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      14. I'm making pizza for a party Saturday night perhaps you could all just come over?

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      15. Martha, I don't think you'd have to ask anyone twice! How many combinations of toppings are you offering? haha.
        And will there be bacon for Eddie? :)

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    6. the snow flakes are beautiful! but Im sure the spring is close in your yard:))

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      1. yes, soon I'm am sure! We'll get green leaves sprouting and your leaves will turn colors!

        How is the beach. Loved your pictures!

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      2. I love the beach in this time at the end of the summer almost I dont see people:)is more cold.but lovely!

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      3. I like it when it isn't crowded, too!

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    7. This reminds me that the same God who created the intricate beauty and detail of each of those snowflakes is more than capable to take care of those details in my life that want to overwhelm me. Deep breath, I can do it! Thanks for sharing! :)

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      1. That is so very true! And you are more unique and special that any snowflake! :) Are you overwhelmed? Yes, deep breath...and chocolate. ha.

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      2. Yes, we are all beautiful and unique. Am I overwhelmed? No, not really, but there are a few things that concern me, however God keeps reminding me of a promise he gave me about these things a few years ago. He is faithful and I believe Him. But I like to 'fix' things and I usually want it fixed right now, sigh, some things just take SO much patience! :) I'm pretty sure I'm normal in this but... one never knows. Ha

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      3. Beauty shot!
        We are due for snow on Saturday. :o(
        No end in sight.....
        Wish I was back at the beach....well.....only if Miss V could come♥️
        Enjoy your weekend
        Cheers!
        Linda :o)

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      4. Martha, you sound very normal to me. :)

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      5. Linda, I have a feeling we haven't seen our last snowfall either. ha.

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    8. I'm always amazed when I see his work. I've tried to take snowflake pictures, and they don't turn out. They're so intricate and they melt too quickly.
      Your picture turned out great!

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    9. Amazing what he could do
      Way back then at his zoo
      Capturing that awful snow
      At least he avoided the yellow

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      1. Yellow would certainly spoil the view
        but maybe that he already knew.
        Clean white flakes are the best
        yellow would melt them and make a mess.
        ha.

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      2. Sun rays can do that
        What did you think I was talking about at my mat? lol

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      3. Sun turns your snow yellow?
        Hello?
        hahahaha.....

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    10. Nice to see your annual post. Astounding what he could accomplish! -- silver fox

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      1. isn't it? You know, I forgot to look for that first edition book this year!

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    11. I can only hope your snowflakes are the last ones I see this season :-)

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      1. haha...I don't know! I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. Or pack away your winter coat. ha.

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    12. The book photos are amazing and yours was, too! Do you have the snowflake book?

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      1. I do have the book! Just a newly printed paper back. I really want to look for a first edition. That would be fun to own!

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      2. I just saw some of his original photographs on ebay for $2000-4000!! wow!

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    13. Amazing beauty! And georgeous photos - his & yours!

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      1. Isn't it? I just love his photographs...it's almost hard to believe they are real! I wish we could see that detail with the naked eye!

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    14. Snowflake pictures are so beautiful aren't they, and so interesting to read this about Wilson Bentley! xx

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    15. I love the photo, Betsy. it looked to me like it was offering one last helping! Snowflake Bentley was a fascinating guy...I have a book about him I bring out every winter!

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    16. Wow what an amazing man! Wonderful post by the way! I think your photo is super cute! I mean, isn't it amazing how beautiful snowflakes are?
      I've been meaning to post one of mine. Of course, the picture doesn't do justice to the real thing, especially if captured with a macro lens haha, but we'll see if I get to it before winter's gone.

      Lovely weekend, Betsy!

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      1. Snow flakes really are amazing....and yes, hurry and post yours! Winter is on it's last few weeks! ha.

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    17. That's amazing! I wish I could see the differences in them as they fell from the sky.

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