Hello, my friends! Look at what Richard and I found in our birdbath this week...
An ice spike is formed when the water freezes on the surface of the water, which traps the water below. When the water beneath begins to freeze, it expands which pushes the water out and forms a kind of bubble on the surface. Gradually, more and more is added onto the bubble and it creates a narrow tube, freezing and building up into a spike. "Ice spikes have been reported for many decades, although their occurrence is quite rare". That last sentence is a quote from Wikipedia! Richard and I have had these little bird baths out for our birds for over 30 winters and we have never observed an ice spike before. Chuffed to see one! (How is that for another British expression?
Now, did you notice that I said "Gordon Bennett" in the post of my title? Someone else for you to look up! His name is used in the United Kingdom. "Gordon Bennett" to express surprise, puzzlement, incredulity, annoyance, etc.". (Gotta love that etc.!) Some believe that it is a euphemism for GOR BLIMEY which means "God blind me or God blame me, no one seems to know for sure. So, who is Gordon Bennett? You may learn more about him just here.
A very wealthy man, he sponsored explorers. He financed Stanley's trip to Africa to find Dr. Livingstone and put up the money for the USS Jeannette's journey to the North Pole. Now, if you want to know more about the USS Jeannette, I suggest a book by Hampton Sides, "In The Kingdom of Ice.". It is an incredible, heartbreaking story.
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What song for you on this post? It has to be "Cold As Ice" by Foreigner from 1977. Enjoy!
At first, I thought that spike was a utensil of some kind, perhaps the handle of a spoon or fork. Ha.
ReplyDeleteNature is amazing, is it not? Richard saw this first and told me about it, when I looked it up, I was astounded at the photos of other ice spikes. You are not likely to see one where you live!
DeleteGosh I've never seen an ice spike before either nor had I ever heard of Gordon Bennett, Although I had heard of Dr. Livingston. Isn't it interesting how one search leads to another. We are finally having a bit of a January thaw here so hoping you are a it warmer too.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, our weather is usually quite warm. Why, one day this week we had ice on our car in the morning and that same afternoon it was 60 degrees! And yes, my one search will lead into dozen of other topics! LOL!
DeleteWell every day is a school day, particularly when it's a 'your blog' day. I had no idea that Gordon Bennett was a real person although it's a phrase I use often. Nor had I ever heard of nor seen an ice spike. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI do like to learn new things...now, if only I could remember them! I used to hear "Gordon Bennett" a lot on that TV show, "New Tricks"!
DeleteAnd you are welcome!! :-)
That is fascinating, Kay! I love ice and icycles but don't think I have ever seen an ice spike like that.
ReplyDeleteNow you will have to look out for them! Let me know if you ever see one!
DeleteI've never, ever seen an ice spike like that in my entire life. I'm suspicious that someone just broke an icicle off their eaves and stuck it in the bird bath as a joke.
ReplyDeleteNo, there were no icicles hanging off the eaves of houses around here. In fact, I have only seen icicles once here and that was when we had two snowy days in the same week, most unusual. If you look back at my blog, I am sure I took photos of that ice. We had some ice form on our roof that looked just like a T Rex, we didn't do anything with the photo or the ice either, that is just what it looked like. You should know me by now, Debra. What you see is what you get! :-)
DeleteThe ice spike is so cool! Mother Nature surprises us every now and then.
ReplyDeleteI loved learning about an ice spike! Apparently, you can make one in an ice cube tray, if you want to. Look it up!
DeleteThat is certainly a new one on me, and thank you for all you post, i always learn something from you.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone asks you about ice spikes, you will thank me! :-)
DeleteI'd never heard of an ice spike before...Your blog always seems to have new things in it!
ReplyDeleteI know you like to learn new things too, like me!!
DeleteRichard requires a blog just for his pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat about my unforgettable words? Honestly, I get no respect!!
Delete:-)
Never seen a ice spike before...super cool! I usually flip our bird baths upside down so no water is in them in the winter. Anyway, that's pretty interesting!
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, at midday the day before, I had flipped out the top of the ice from the bird bath, so there was water that the birds could get to...therefore, there wasn't as much water in them that night when the water froze. THAT might have been why we got an ice spike! (It is very, very specific how the ice spike forms...I am blinded by science after my research!!)
DeleteI've only seen one once in my garden and like you I was amazed. They make ice carousels in Finland by cutting a large circle in a frozen lake, installing a small outboard motor and having a DIY fairground ride. Never heard of lightning glass before either until I watched Sweet Home Alabama yesterday. The world is full of wonders.
ReplyDeleteNow you are making me want to go to Finland! I have been to Alabama. :-) P.S. They filmed part of that movie at Berry College here in Georgia, along with other locations in Georgia!
DeleteWhat an icy post! You tied it all together so well. :) I didn't know about ice spikes - that's fascinating!
ReplyDeleteHey Sue! Thanks! And I hope you are singing along with that song that I gave you! You must look for ice spikes in your neck of the woods, you must have them too!
DeleteThank you! Never, ever heard of an ice spike! What a wonderful thing that you had one!!!!! And I have looked up Gordon Bennett before because I hear his name so often in all the British TV shows I watch!!
ReplyDeleteHey Nan!
DeleteYou can make your own ice spike with distilled water in the old fashioned ice trays, that is what I have read anyway. Of course, it is not as exciting as finding one in your own bird bath! If you are like me, I have to look stuff up all the time when I watch my British shows, unless Richard is home and then, I just ask him! xx
I know a lot about ice, but I didn't know about ice spikes ~ Thanks!!! And I do know Foreigner's "Cold as Ice."
ReplyDeleteYou will have to let me know if you ever see an ice spike! And I know you have been singing that song now!
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