Note to self: This is not an easy shot
2/3/2011

I've seen and admired many dripping icicle shots from my fellow Smuggers and yesterday, with freezing rain falling all around us, I thought, why not? It had to be a simple matter of selecting an interesting, drippy icicle, aiming a fast lens, shooting in continuous mode at a fast shutter speed, and one of those clicks would capture the perfect droplet, suspended crisply as it waved goodbye to it's Mom.

Not quite. Even at my D90's fast continuous mode, I was getting plenty of shots of the pre-release portion of the drip. But because the drop, once it breaks free, evidently leaves the icicle at the speed of light (!), it was difficult to catch within the frame. It was also hard to get that darn drop really sharp. I wish this one was a bit sharper.

But here it is, and I will never underestimate the effort required to make a successful image of a drop of water again!

Thanks for all the comments on yesterday"s "machine takeover" image. Many of you asked why the wipers were up in the air. By standing them up before a snow or ice storm hits, the wipers don't get frozen to the windshield. So it's easier to clear the car and get moving after the storm. And with the second coming of the Ice Age, we're looking for all the help we can get! Thanks again.

iceicicledripNikon