An effect of freezing rain

Freezing rain the night of Dec. 5 caused the icicles in this photo. The long icicle formed as rain water collected and dripped from the roof of a shed onto a gray dogwood tree limb. As the water dripped from the roof -- at a more steady rate than the rain -- at a precise point on the limb, ice built up more heavily on the upper side as well as forming a six-inch icicle below.

Freezing rain is a cold weather phenomenon that normally happens only a time or two each year in Southeast Missouri. Although freezing rain is one of nature's most hazardous performances, it seldom fails to be awe-inspiringly beautiful. This dark-eyed junco, also know as a snowbird, flew up and landed exactly where I needed him as I photographed the icicle.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the Painted Wren Gallery.