Yesterday as I drove to work I noticed my world became one filled with crystaline trees and bushes. A fog had gone through in the early morning hours and left frozen moisture on the branches. The picture below is a pretty good depiction of what I saw.
The frost simply shimmers and shines as the sun dances upon the frozen droplets. Before it melts away, we live in a crystal world that dazzles before disappearing.
Tree covered with Hoar Frost, Picture by Black Creed
It is what one calls Hoar Frost. Some dictionaries define it as frozen dew that comes in the shape of tiny needles. We always notice it after any foggy morning. It is quite beautiful as we head north and west towards our church on a Sunday morning.
Close up of Hoar Frost, Picture by Idaho Editor
Now, I know what you are thinking. What a terrible name for something so beautiful. But this is one of those words that come from the German language according to Dictionary.com. Some note its use around the 12oos, other claim it comes from before 900 A.D.
According to Blurtit.com, the origins are from the German word “herh” which means sublime. But “Herr” is a proper title for a man, as in Herr Schmidt. So the term could be old/grey combined with frost.
I would like to think it means sublime because the look of hoarfrost in the morning is just that. I also find it suitable for December when we still love snow and find it magical. Quite frankly, hoarfrost makes snow magical in January and February as well. By then the feeling is as fleeting as the hoarfrost.
How do you find the magical in wintertime?
It WAS a beautiful morning, wasn’t it! I noticed all that beautiful hoarfrost in our neighborhood too. Sure makes everything look so magical!
It was gorgeous. And now we are getting more snow falling from the sky.
How beautiful, and you’re right that Hoar Frost is a harsh word for something so pretty. Thanks for the explanation – I learned something new today! In Connecticut, we don’t get much snow compared to some places. But I hear we may get a big storm tomorrow, and the sight of the snow will be magical for me! Merry Christmas!
I guess I have in my mind the pictures from that movie “Christmas in Connecticut.” There was lots and lots of snow. Perhaps it was all Hollywood. Then again, I have seen Wisconsin depicted at Thanksgiving with green grass and flowers blooming.
We are getting lots and lots of snow today! The beginning of a blizzard began about an hour ago!
My husband said we are to get rain later in the week. Not sure I am ready to see all of the snow go away.
Ooooh, I am equal parts tickled by the funniness of the expression, the opportunity to expand my lexicon and the inifnite beauty of nature. I am a nature lover, horticulturist and sun worshipper. The horticulturist in me often tries to find the beauty in winter as I prefer the burgeoning of Spring. You helped, thanks!!! Happy Holidays.
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Glad to be of service. I love plants myself, check out pictures of my garden in earlier posts. Thanks for stopping in!
gorgeous pictures! We had hoar frost growing up on the Canadian plains (I think it has to be maybe a little drier climate to get it as I don’t see it here in West MI). Like you, I strive to find the magic in winter and I often see many beautiful scenes that I can’t quite capture on camera … just getting outside helps ;) Thanks for the post MJ
I am not sure why we get it. We are in Illinois where it is fairly flat but our area dips a little ito the Kankakee Valley. I think we get more fog or dew because of that.
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing the photos!
You are welcome!