Glimpses of Frozen Glacial Architecture

[Octane (Humayun)]

Whilst descending Franz Josef Glacier, I happened upon this pretty glacial formation which was hidden between two peaks. Whilst intrigued by nature's architecture, a momentary lapse in the thick cloud let sunlight shine through thin lower cloud and illuminate the blue and white peaks.

Franz Josef is 12 km long and terminates 19 km from the Tasman Sea. It is found in Westland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand.

Unlike a lot of glaciers worldwide, Franz Josef has actually entered an advancement phase and at times can advance about 70 cm a day.

Click here for a slightly higher resolution.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
1/60s f/8.0 at 50.0mm iso100

Comments, critique, etc., most welcome.

H

[Dean]

Love the natural, semi-translucent colours of the glacier. Incredible!

[Dennis]

A most beautiful composition – I find myself drawing slow, deep breaths as I look at this image; I can almost taste the cool, clean, invigorating glacial air in this one.

Cheers

Dennis

[Octane (Humayun)]

Dean and Dennis,

Thank you, gents!

I drank the water from the glacier (just scooped my hands under a melt), it was quite refreshing after the climb.

H

[Dennis]

Careful H! If you also swallow the suspended grit in the melt water it acts like nature’s super fibre; a laxative par excellence!

Cheers

Dennis

[Ric]

Very nice H.

You've done a great job in capturing the natural colours.

Cheers

[Jen]

wow H i have never seen anything like that before, i so want to see that with my own eyes now, i feel myself not wanting to leave it how pretty is that

[Octane (Humayun)]

Dennis,

LOL, I had no idea. Luckily there weren't any sediments that I could see. I would imagine it would be a bit tricky going to the loo up there!

Originally Posted by Dennis

Careful H! If you also swallow the suspended grit in the melt water it acts like nature’s super fibre; a laxative par excellence!

Cheers

Dennis

Ric,

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Ric

Very nice H.

You've done a great job in capturing the natural colours.

Cheers

Jen,

Cheers! It's quite special indeed. It's like a living breathing organism, it grows and shrinks on a daily basis. Also, the sunnier the day, the bluer the glacier.

Originally Posted by Jen

wow H i have never seen anything like that before, i so want to see that with my own eyes now, i feel myself not wanting to leave it how pretty is that

Thanks, all!

H