Snowflakes — those intricate, one-of-a-kind ice crystals — form when precipitation falls through varying levels of humidity and temperatures in the air. While plenty has been written about the science of snow, we’re focusing on the sheer beauty of them.
If you live in a cold climate, you can engage in “snowflake watching” — think bird watching, but for snowflakes. Keep a compact magnifier or jeweler’s loupe in your pocket or bag and when you’re out in the next snowfall, start looking. You can look on cold surfaces for snowflakes that will last, but you can find many even on your sleeve. Once you’re hooked, check out a book like Kenneth Libbrecht’s “Field Guide to Snowflakes” to learn about the many shapes, sizes, and other fascinating details.
In the meantime, here are a number of wonderous examples to study and admire.
Snowflakes show their individual flair, even in a group. This photo shows an array of snowflakes gathered on the back window of a car. Glass is a great place to look for snowflakes; but it’s also a fabulous place to observe the wild-looking crystal formations of frost as well.
In the photo above, two snowflakes are captured on a window. Notice the different structures! There are many different categories of shapes, from stellar forms like these, to triangles, columns, and more.
Snowflakes land where they please, even in a person’s hair.
These look like someone just tossed a handful onto the sidewalk.
An intricate snowflake shows off its exquisite delicacy when contrasted against the wooden table on which it landed.
Snowflakes on snow, taken during a snowfall under natural conditions at low temperature.
As in many of these photos, a macro lens captures the tiniest details, showing patterns and geometry that are harder to see with the naked eye.
You’re supposed to catch snowflakes on your tongue, but eyelashes will do in a pinch.
It is true that the likelihood of two snowflakes being alike is infinitesimally small. The photo above shows just a few of the nearly endless ways a snowflake may appear.
The dark and moody background plays perfect host for this stunner of a snowflake.
Even piled on top of one another, individual snowflakes still find a way to stand out from the crowd.
A microscopic view reveals Mother Nature’s artistry at work.
