Pogonip is a type of fog consisting of ice crystals suspended in the air. The name "pogonip" is an English adaptation of the Shoshone word meaning "cloud" ('payinappih')[1]. Pogonip only forms under the right conditions, the humidity has to be near 100% as the air temperature drops to below 0°C, allowing ice crystals to form in the air. The ice crystals will then settle onto surfaces. (Wikipedia)
This is a weather condition specific to our area, hence the Shoshone name. (The Shoshone are the largest of Nevada's three Indian tribes, being Shoshone, Paiute and Washoe. Washoe is the name of our county.) This weather condition doesn't occur every year, but when it does, it's ethereal.
Remember flocked trees? We get our Christmas ornament-
ation from nature. If you click for big, you can see that the branches are covered with ice crystals that stand on their ends like iron filings on a magnet. It was -5 the night before when I dropped into our valley from the highway. That's just too cold. I guess pretty is a nice apology.
I've closed the gate and I'm off to work. Adios home-stead.
BTW, I took those last bags from natural dyed wools to work to show Diane. Someone bought the yellow one but I think I have enough yarn to make another.
9 comments:
We had pogonip the other morning also, one of natures cold offerings that make me appreciate winter :)
It sure looks cold. I've experienced that phenomenon before but didn't know it had a name. I love Indian weather lore.
Absolutely gorgeous. You're right about the beauty making up for the cold.
That's interesting. I agree it's beautiful, but I'm also glad I can appreciate the beauty from the comfort of my own computer room! We get ice storms down here in the Carolinas. The heavy coating of ice on all the bushes and branches is pretty too, but it makes them very heavy and many a power line has been knocked down when they fall.
Beautiful images! Too bad it is so cold.
Interesting and beautiful!!!!
We just had ice and sleet but nothing so pretty as your pictures.
Pogonip is gorgeous. Merry Christmas!
Send me some of that snow!!!! It was close to 70 degrees today. I want winter weather for Christmas.
What awesome photos, though I can imagine that you feel as we do, glad to see a warming trend this week.
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