D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7
30
I
T WAS ONE OF THOSE SUB-
FREEZING, CLEAR WINTRY
DAYS WHEN THE AIR WAS
FILLED WITH HUMIDITY AS
THE SUN PEEKED OVER THE
NEARBY MOUNTAINS. Attached
to the window, I noticed the frost,
thinly caked onto the glass, forming
delicate, wispy, leaf-like patterns.
ey were as though an artisan
etched his art into the glass. e tree
branches in the yard and wire fence
were encased in fine crystals, now
sparkling like jewels as the sun hit
the frost. In my western Montana
home, where the air is normally
dry, this was one of those unusual
climatic conditions we don't often
get: humidity along with below-
freezing temperatures. As we move
from chilly autumn mornings into
winter, we will often see the fragile,
white crystals form on plants. e
HOARFROST
Hoarfrost crystals
on rope netting
Bridger Mountains framed with frosty fence
photos and essay by
CAROL POLICH
