Fresh-water lakes are unique in their freezing behaviour. Larger lakes will have waves under the influence of wind, which prevent a solid ice layer to form instantly. Rather, the lake will freeze by first forming plates of ice, typically 1m in size, which gradually become thicker and damp the waves up to the point that the whole surface can freeze. Due to friction between the ice plates, the rims of these plates will have crusts of ice. The sound of millions of these plates scratching against eachother is quite an experience. After the lake freezes, it may burst open again by strong wind, shoving and stacking the mass of ice in piles along the shore.

35 photos in gallery
Click images for large photos