We've been getting bombarded with snow over the past week here in the Copper Country. From no snow just a week ago, to whiteout conditions off and on since then, it's safe to say winter is here. Looking back over the past 19 years of Pasty Cam photos, you can say just about the same thing on this day, so let's check out the icy formations that have appeared. Joyce Tormala brought us the first two ice shots from 2005 and 2006 respectively. Such a contrast in the two shots, with the first one being large and sinister looking, like an icy monster and then the second shot being quite peaceful with the reflection in the melting icicle Joyce found. Simple beauty in nature.

Then in 2014, Joy Ziemnick was out at McLain State Park and snapped some icy branches along the shoreline there. How can something so cold and hardened, be so beautiful at the same time? I really like how you can still see the branches plainly through the ice in some spots and then in others you can only make out the shape underneath all that coating. Just like no two snowflakes are the same, no two icy Superior sculptures are the identical, either.

Just recently, Brenda Leigh was on the shores of Lake Superior in the Brimley area and she spotted the beginnings of an "ice monster" forming. It looks to be in its infancy right now, but give it another couple weeks and I bet it will have tripled in size with the Big Lake feeding it daily. Again…simple beauty nature provides us.

Speaking of beauty, Steve Brimm shares a video with "just a taste of winter here" back in 2015. It compliments today's array of photos with the ice formations and snowy shores. This one is beauty in motion, for sure.

Sinister looking is right...almost demonic.

"The devil lives inside the icehouse
At least that's what the old ones say
He came along time ago
He came here in the winter snow
Now it's colder every day"
(Icehouse by Icehouse)

Hi
The first photo looks like a monster because of the ice "tentacles", plus the curves look like an organism.

But in practice, I bet there are kids who would use it as a slide and natural playground equipment.

Thank you Mary for using my recent ice monster
photo. All the photos are gems of our beautiful
winter season. Winter is so easy on the eyes. It
brings peace, contentment and beauty to me daily.
Also kudos to Mary for ALWAYS creating such
beautiful words to accompanied the photos. I so
miss this site and must make it my opening page.
Blessings to all.