Winter is still very much in play here in the Pacific Northwest, as demonstrated by the formation of fascinating ice spikes around Puget Sound this week.
Our former KOMO News Weather producer Brie Hawkins snapped these photos of a "bird" perched atop her frozen bird bath near Bothell.
How on earth does the atmosphere carve out such an appropriate ice sculpture? Several things need to come together for this natural work of art to form.
First, a good cold night is required such that a shallow pool of water, like that found in the bird bath, will freeze over at the surface. The water left below the frozen top layer later starts to freeze as well, expanding as it changes state. In doing so, it can crack the icy layer on the top, allowing the cold water below to slowly trickle and ooze out of the crack.
The process is similar to how toothpaste might push out of an open tube. As that runaway water hits the cold air, it also freezes, slowly building into almost a "reverse icicle" in the process. Throw in a light breeze, and that upside-down icicle can transform into an unusual shape.
As if the bird atop the bird bath wasn't amazing enough, we've seen even more 'So Northwest' formations develop in recent years. A banana slug version on an ice spike was noted in Arlington, Washington just a few winters ago!
As Punxsutawney Phil just predicted six more weeks of winter, perhaps we'll see more of Mother Nature's ice spike handiwork before the season is over.