In January 2021, was out for a socially distanced walk with a friend in the RSPB nature reserve in Lochwinnoch when we came upon a small area with some examples of Hair Ice, which I had never seen before.
Hair ice is a very specific ice formation which occurs between 45°N and 55°N. It requires moist air and a temperature just below 0°C. It occurs on moist, dead wood and needs the presence of a specific fungus called Exidiopsis effusa.
For full details, which are very interesting, see the Met Office website.
This photo is copyright © Liz Leyden, all rights strictly as agreed in writing with the author or her agent.
The photo is available for purchased as a Rights-managed stock image from Alamy.
An alternative version of the photo, showing a wider view with more of the ice formation, is also available as a Rights-managed stock image from Alamy.
