montana - glacier national park Sun Cups - Grinnell Glacier

Sun Cups, Ablation Hollows, whatever you call them, I just think they are cool! I was fascinated with these surface snow forms during my hiking through Glacier National Park. They are formed during dry conditions during snow melt in alpine areas that receive direct sun during the melting season (insolation). High points on the snow evaporate water molecules more slowly than the depression areas, where water collects as it melts, deepening the depression. Dirt and debris can help speed up the process.  I became obsessed with finding the most unique shaped sun cups during my travels.  These were next to Grinnell Glacier.  f20, ISO 200, 1/5 sec.

Sun Cups, Ablation Hollows, whatever you call them, I just think they

are cool! I was fascinated with these surface snow forms during my

hiking through Glacier National Park. They are formed during dry

conditions during snow melt in alpine areas that receive direct sun

during the melting season (insolation). High points on the snow

evaporate water molecules more slowly than the depression areas,

where water collects as it melts, deepening the depression. Dirt and

debris can help speed up the process. I became obsessed with finding

the most unique shaped sun cups during my travels. These were next

to Grinnell Glacier. f20, ISO 200, 1/5 sec. These cups were about 3

feet across.

Comments welcome.

This shot goes beyond the natural phenomena and becomes an abstract image to me. With no horizon I can not tell what is up, down, or across, no sense of scale or perspective and the whole image takes on an optical illusion quality to me. And I like it.

Harry, this is right up there with Chris Harris' polished granite enigma images. Here is the link.

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=10426245&size=lg

Excellent eye Harry!!

Harry:

You make me feel right at home - I walked over enough of these this summer. But I never gave a thought to putting together a creative shot like this. You have inspired me.

Very good, well composed.