Arctic Beach.

We are now officially experiencing so called ice winter in parts of southern Scandinavia. This is a very rare phenomenon, occurring only about 3-4 times in a century. In Nordic terms ice winter means that harbours and some sounds freeze. In fact, satellite images of Denmark show white cover extending over the entire country, clearly depicting the lack of visible surface water in certain bays, meaning that they are covered by ice. Actually, some inlets look rather unique, with large ice blocks floating around on the surface, creating the feel of arctic conditions.

Even the ocean in my very vicinity looks rather odd. I pass the bay every day on my way to work and last Friday I decided to stop and document this rare occurrence.
As I stepped out of the car I immediately sensed the absolute power of the icy wind on the exposed skin of my face. The subzero air felt completely alien and surprising.
There was almost a dreamlike feeling to the deserted beach, it felt unfamiliar and close to eerie. The lack of the sound of moving waves and water was immediately very palpable, its comforting splashing replaced by the whistling of the polar wind. I could see the dark open waters in the horizon, but it seemed too far out to even register in my mind.

The large stones and rocks stretching out into the sea were covered with ice and snow and I certainly felt as I have been moved thousands of miles north in an instant. The images of the summer sea, that I so love and cherish appeared almost surreal in that very moment. As much as I stood there in awe, trying to take pictures, while barely feeling the camera in my numb fingers, an almost terrifying sensation enveloped me. Looking at the iced arctic beach, I simply could not imagine the summer ever returning...

(Please click the image below to enlarge.)