2015 February 23 A very Frozen Niagara Falls

What an adventure. What a dream realized.  I have had my winter trip to Niagara Falls. This year has been fantastic because there is so much ice and snow and so desperately cold.  It truly looks like a winter wonderland as one drives by the white world of winter at the falls.  Here are some of the better photos I took....I hope you enjoy the tour.  The day was so bright and sunny, the air clear, and the crowds down to a minimum...we were even able to park on the roadway while I popped over to the bridge and snapped away to my hearts content.  The Canada Goose and ducks were being fed at one of the local parks. They look so cold and hungry.  I was lucky to snap so many photos of them as they ate, although I will only include one at this time to conserve space.

 Welcome to the main tourist attraction area.

 Freshly fallen snow on the many trees

Ducks and Canada Goose enjoying the food

This is the water before going over the falls, not sure if you can see those dark blue rapids, but it sure looked cold from where I stood.

 These shrubs were laden with ice formed from the spray clouds. In the sun, they really sparkled like diamonds.

Remember Niagara River and Gorge area.....well, it was totally frozen except this small patch of blue water....strange why that we still open.  And what is missing here?..........no Maid of the Mist is to be seen.

 These frozen piles of ice in the summer is part of the American Falls area.....notice the cracks and crevices that are all across the top of the river.  Brrrrrr it is some cold here to do this to the fast flowing water.

 And this is the spray cloud that is covering everywhere, truly turning this to a winter wonderland.

I am sure you all remember these guard walls.....but have you ever seen them frozen over and shiny.......they almost dare you to look over the wall and see the frozen sight below.

Ahhh, The American Falls, or at least, what would be so in the rest of the year.  Simply awe inspiring.

 I think a clearer view looking down the river...do you see that bit of open water remaining?

 Looking from the falls back up to Lundy's Lane and the tourist attractions hidden there.

 Back to the American Falls.....further from the first photos.....we are almost at the Rainbow Bridge.....the building are actually in Buffalo, NY, USA

These waterfalls coming from between the rock wall really look like frozen icicles...but guess what? They aren't.

 Ohhhhh, the glory of it all.  The falling water on the right side of photo is again The Bridal Veil Falls, but the contrast between flowing falls and frozen ice has to be seen in person to really be appreciated.

 But I think this will help a bit more.  I wish I could have captured this on video....but the sun was so bright, I couldn't see the controls on my camera.  There you have it a close up of Canada's Bridal Veil Falls. And I was far, far, far away. Thank goodness for the close up setting.

 Rising up from the spray, was this huge covering of a "glob" of spray ice.  It was so huge, hard to describe for sure. Again Buffalo, NY is in the background

Back looking at the spray encrusted branches. I wondered as we drove away, how can thos branches and limbs ever stand the load of ice that covers them at this time of the year.

What a true Canadian adventure for Lou and I that day as we took in the sights.  I was so filled with awe and the beauty nature shares with us...no wonder I love winter as I do...and this is way.

And this is how it was, Feb 23, 2015 at Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Denise Collins