• Wednesday-What'sUP February 24 - 02:30 pm

When Joe Kirkish sent me the top photo a few days back, I immediately contacted him to see if he could send me a few more icicle photos to accompany it. And that he did. Joe is a man who seems to love words, just as much as he loves taking pictures and that's evidenced by the description of this icicle art that he sent along with the added photos of the melting ice... he called it "ephemeral" art. In case you don't know what that means, I'll save you the step of looking it up. It means "anything short-lived" or "lasting a short time" and I'd have to agree with Joe, since he said he had been watching the icicles form in that top photo and the day after he snapped it, they were melted away completely.

Anyway, Joe found some interesting shapes that the cold nights and warmer days... the freezing, then melting can create. If I had to pick my favorites, it would have to be the top shot and the fourth one, too. The top one, because it kind of reminds me of an inverted map of the U.P., plus I like the way the sun sparkles off the one straight icicle. Then the fourth shot, because Joe caught that drop of water just as it dropped from the melting spear and again that sparkle of the sun captured within the droplet of water. Nice work, Joe... thanks for sharing!

As we approach the 12th anniversary of the Pasty Cam, many individuals come to mind, who have helped make this daily feature such a colorful and interesting journey. Joe Kirkish was one of the first local professionals to contribute his skills to these pages, because he spent so much time volunteering at Still Waters, where this daily journal began.

The third (3rd) picture looks like something or someone is holding on for dear life while stretching out a hand to something or someone. I like that one;O)

I thought the first one looked like the UP in some way too. Very cool (in more ways than one) pictures. ;-) Joe must have the patience of Job to sit long enough to capture a drop of water in mid-air...and well worth it. Just beautiful!

Good morning all! The icicle pictures remind me of tapping the maple trees. It is close to that time! It's almost the end of February. I suffered a siezure on August 25. so I have not been able to drive for 6 months. My wife has been my chauffer. Thursday, I can drive again. Friday we are flying down to Augusta to attend commissioning services for our son who will be promoted to Lt. Commander Monday. He has been stationed in Japan on the USS Essex. We haven't saw him for 3 years. It will be great to see him.

Icicles are cool...too bad they don't hang around.

No sense "hanging around" when the situation becomes fluid.

Paul, when you greet your son, tell him "Thank You" from one Yooper who's proud of our military men and women! And I'm sure there are a ton of others who want to say thank you to him as well. After three years, it should be a wonderfully sweet reunion. God bless!

Wonderful pictures as always on the PastyCam. I check it every morning with coffee at the ready.

And, I really like the new Calumet webcam. I spend several days a year in the area for work. Can I ask if the aperture could be adjusted a little so the image isn't so washed out?

I saw a photo of Joe's not too long ago on display at Marie Catrib's in Grand Rapids (MI) (formerly Marie's in Houghton) when I was in the area visiting my sister. Amazing how you can recognize someone's style in photographs as well as paintings and sculptures... I knew it was his before I even saw the signature!

Great to see the photo essay in ice today. Still below zero here this morning, but at least the sun will be shining.

Terrific photos, Joe...thanks so much for these beautiful artistic images and the perfect comments for each!

We too use "ephemerial" to describe streams that are the result of melting snow from nearby mountains or after a sudden, hard rain. Both cases are common in desert valley localities and both are short lived events......

Thank you Barb!!!!

Great photos! In 1974, I serving as president of the Copper Country Community Arts Council; at that time, my dear friend Viola Brown introduced me to Joe Kirish. Throughout the years, Joe has been contributing to the art community and the people of the area with his work. His photos over the years tell the history of the area. As a former resident of the area, I wish we could have a moving collection of his and other photographers work below the bridge. Thanks, Joe!

WOW....WOW, WOW, WOW!!!

Don't forget to vote for the CC Humane Society!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_shelterchallengeconfirmation_sidetabs

Let's really kick in the voting!!! Pasty Peeps...it's showing...thank you so much!

The icicles and snow pictures make me shudder.
My stay here in sunny AZ ends Sunday. My wife and
I will be making our way north and are hoping
for clear weather.
I'd extend my lease but too late---someone else
is coming in March 1.
Right now viewing the winter via pictures is
enough.
We have had quite a lot of rain here on the desert
floor in AZ. South of Phoenix. Almost have had
the annual amount of rain in two months!!
Lots of rivers/streams that are evident on day
but not the next.

Amazing what nature can do.

Paul, I wish you well healthwise, and I join Barb in 'thanking' your son for his service to his/our country. May God bless America and all those who serve! BTW, God speed on your trip down to Augusta!

Copper Country Humane society is ranked 15 today and is also the weekly winner of $1000.

Like some of the 'beauties' in living, they too seem ephemeral...Wonderful pictures...Thank you for sharing.

That is PHENOMENAL!!! GO Pasty Peeps!!! WooHoo!!!Thank you so much..for helping those, who help our 4 legged brothers and sisters when they need it...God Bless everyone involved there!

From one Navy parent to another, Paul...Congratulations on the commissioning of your son. Have a great trip to Augusta and as Barb, said, please give your son our THANKS, too. After three years, I'm sure there will be plenty of hugs and a few tears, too. Enjoy!

Thank you Shirley and Mary!!