The ice stars are starting to bloom.
I started noticing ice stars just a few years ago. I’m still tickled every time I see one. Like the first snow, icicles, and frost on windowpanes, it’s another beautiful winter thing I look forward to.
Some people call them Lake Stars, but I see them regularly on river and pond ice. They say the stars form when warmer water pushes up through a thin layer of ice and slush. There are theories, but none that completely explains why and how they appear.
The good news is you don’t have to understand them to appreciate them! Like clouds, you can see many images in them. You could call them ice spiders, octopi, fingers, roots… or whatever your imagination dreams up. They also make a good game of search and find. Keep those kiddos (or yourself) moving by making them the ice star spotters. Count how many they see on the hike.
You don’t have to go far to see them. Today, we saw dozens of them during our slow hike at Sensiba State Wildlife Area. I’ve seen them many times on the East River in Bellevue and Allouez. Have you seen them before? Where? Once you see one, you’ll start noticing them everywhere!
Cool!