Get an Eyeful of These 15 Photos of insanely Cool Icicles

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, Nature’s wintry accessory, icicles help beautify snowy landscapes Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries Get an Eyeful of These 15 Photos of insanely Cool Icicles Nature’s wintry accessory, icicles help beautify snowy landscapes Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr Text by Tracy Scott Forson 10:45 a.

Icicles form on a fence and reflect the blue sky after an ice storm. Alexandra Lennox, Canada, 2021 As snow melts and drips from awnings, tree branches and other high perches, it can freeze mid-motion, often creating clean icicles. (yes, really)

In some regions, icicles remain a constant throughout the year, but in warmer climates, their presence is fleeting, which makes capturing them and enjoying the moments they’re around that much more memorable.

The Details

A reminder of how quickly things can transform and evolve—from snow to water to ice to water again—the frozen “beads” are natural accents to wintry landscapes, glistening against snowy backdrops. While they have famously been compared to daggers and spears (We’re looking at you, Olaf), they’re more likely to melt in your mouth, and some adventurous snow lovers consider them snacks.

Whether you want to just look at them, taste them or use them as weapons, take a photo first, and check out these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest. Icicles hang from an ice bubble that has formed inside the Sapphire Ice Cave.

Why This Matters

Erika Valkovicova, Iceland, 2020 Nature s crystalline artistry comes alive in the Himachal Himalayas, where sunlight dances on the intricate patterns of glistening icicles. Jayanta Roy, India, 2024 Icicles don t just form on inanimate objects, as this frigid individual with an icy beard can attest. Francesco Guerra, Italy, 2021 In the Jigokudani Monkey Park, a Japanese macaque seemingly cowers from the cold while icicles form around it.

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

The Bottom Line

Francesco Guerra, Italy, 2021 In the Jigokudani Monkey Park, a Japanese macaque seemingly cowers from the cold while icicles form around it. Hidetoshi Ogata, Japan, 2019 The shape of a tree branch and the icicles that formed on it resembles a strand of a DNA.

How do you feel about this development?