Now, here’s a scene that isn’t often seen on Lake Michigan in Chicago: bits and bobs of ice chunks!
Having been in Chicago for many years, I have only seen what is called “shelf ice” on the surface of the lake a handful of times. It’s called “shelf ice” because it builds outward from the shore and forms long, floating ledges (or a “shelf” over the lake.
As the “shelf” isn’t deep or steady, the ice begins to crumble, causing all kinds of interesting floating patterns.
There is usually a wee bit of ice on the shoreline, but to see it extended as far as the eye can see is uncommon.
Meteorologists certainly have some “formal” explanations for the various ice formations on any given body of water.
However, I think I’ve found a rather “fowl” explanation:
I present to you one dedicated, determined, and ice-breaking duck! Look at how much ice he’s cleared already! *biggest, frosty grin I can muster!*
I have some more icy photos to share with you for this week’s “Wordless Wednesday.”
Have you ever seen interesting, bewildering, or unusual ice formations on water?
The Chicago Files 
Ice, ice baby. By Vanilla ice. Remember that guy. It’s a nice day for a white wedding. Love Sameal xoxo
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LOL LOL Can you hear me laughing, Joseph? Oh my goodness, yes, THAT guy! Oh, and THAT guy! Thank you! Love, Cher xoxoxo
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These ice shelf formations have been seen on a couple of the Great Lakes this year. I saw similar pictures from Lake Huron.
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Oh did you, Michelle? I think speaks volumes as to how cold it’s been this winter. Cher xoxoxo
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Wow, the Coast Guard needs that duck on staff! 👍🏻😂 Beautiful photos Cher, I have seen the ice coverage on the lakes via the Weather Channel. hey never seem to completely freeze these days…
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Thank you, John! LOL Yes, I agree! Haha Have you? No, they don’t, but when there is even some ice on the surface, it so strange to me! Cher xoxoxo
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We lived in Evanston – fairly close to the lake. I have seen those odd ice formations! It’s a big lake.
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Did you, JT? Yes, you would definitely have seen them! Cher xoxoxo
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No, I’ve never witnessed the sea or a lake freeze over, Cher. However, history tells us that even here in the UK, winters were very much colder, even the river Thames in London would freeze over and the people of the day would hold winter fairs on the ice. The last time the River Thames froze over was during the 1962/63 freeze. The winter was one of the coldest in over 200 years, with temperatures plunging to-20°C in some parts of the UK. But I hear that those kinds of temperatures are more common in North America.
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Wow! It sounds like the Thames was very different than it is now. It must have been quite something to have fairs on the ice. Now, that is very cold for the UK, isn’t it?
Yes, in Winnipeg where I moved from, the usual temperatures in the winter can get as cold as -40C with the wind chill. The coldest I have ever experienced is around -50C. It is dangerous at those temps.
Chicago doesn’t get nearly as cold as many parts of Canada, Hugh. That’s why I am not one to complain about the “cold” here! LOL Cher xoxoxo
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Lol, I never complain about the cold, Cher. But the heat is a whole different matter! Fortunately, where we live now, it does not get too hot or humid in the summer. We may get one or two days of it, but fortunately, nothing like they get in London and the South-East of the UK, where they can have weeks of extreme heat and humidity. The majority of homes in the UK do not have air-con, so it can become very uncomfortable, especially when trying to sleep on what the weather folk call ‘Tropic Nights.’ I’m very much an Autumn and winter guy.
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Hugh, I am the exact same way! LOL I defo have a few things to say about the heat! Oh, they call it ‘Tropic Nights!’ Well, I wonder if that has anything to do with trying to make it sound a wee bit better! LOL I daresay it likely doesn’t work! LOL
I didn’t know that about London and the South-East of the UK, Hugh. I also didn’t know that the majority of homes in the UK do not have air-con.
I’m so glad that you don’t experience that, Hugh.
I’m afraid Chicago is extremely humid in the summer. I was speaking with a grocery clerk recently. She told me she is from Alaska. I asked her how she liked the summers here.
She said, “The humidity is horrible!” I smiled, and felt that she understood me! LOL
Autumn and winter and defo at the top of my list too, Hugh!
Thank you so much! Cher xoxoxo
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