Snow and Ice at Osage Lake

It was the day after Christmas 2009, and two days since the biggest blizzard in over 20 years blanketed Southwest Oklahoma with amounts of snow varying from 2 to 8 inches.  Throughout the area, thin layers of snow lay alongside deep snow drifts, the results of 30-40 mph winds.  There was barely a breeze stirring today; the sky was blue and clear as far as one could see, and warmth from the sun felt so good!  The family had come to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge primarily to get out of the house but also to see the snow on the Refuge.  It was already mid-afternoon so we weren’t expecting to be the first footprints in the snow.  However, we were soon to be disappointed when we discovered that areas such as Boulder and Sunset had not even had their gates opened for access.  We may have been disappointed, but our intent to have fun was not thwarted.  Since we were in two vehicles, I led the group to the Treasure Lake – Post Oak Lake Area because I was confident we could get up the road and there were no gates to be closed, anyway.  Soon we found ourself out of the cars, enjoying the fresh air, the young bison grazing nearby on Indian Grass poking through the snow, and throwing snowballs at each other.  After a good time was had by all, and hands and feet were becoming uncomfortably cold, the family decided to drive to Mamaw’s house for a visit.  I opted to remain in the WMWR in search of interesting photo opportunities.  I was certain I could find some.After the family and I separated, they went one way and I went the other, I turned my thoughts to finding something that would capture this winter wonderland on the Refuge.  As I approached the turn-off to the parking lot at Osage Lake, I questioned whether I really wanted to make the near half mile hike on to the lake.  The first thing I noticed, after parking and exiting my truck, was that I was the first person put footprints in this snow.  I became excited about the prospects of being the first person to travel this trail, to be the first to see the beauty of GOD’s virgin snow on this landscape.  I estimated there was about an hour and a half of daylight left, as I took the first step down the snowy trail, backpack loaded with camera and survival gear snug against my back, my Sony A700 hanging off my right shoulder, and my tripod balanced over my left.  Wow, was I shocked when my  left boot disappeared from view as the snow rose to just below my knee.  I was glad to see this drift was narrow as evidenced by the bare trail visible only 10 feet ahead.  I gathered my balance together and trudged on.

After correcting a bad choice regarding which fork of the trail to take, and expending more energy than I wanted getting back to the correct fork, I finally approached Osage Lake.  The sun was beginning to get low in the western sky, casting long shadows and warm glow across the snow.  The banks of Osage Lake are primarily granite cliffs with limited access to the water’s edge.  The western cliffs were already casting long dark shadows across the thin layer of ice sealing entirely the surface of the lake in a thin layer of shimmering light.  Since my intention was to be making HDR (high dynamic range) images, I was excited by the prospect.  As it turned out I would have preferred more sunlight across the ice, but I’m not disappointed.  I like the overall result and I’m absolutely positive, I am the only person who saw was blessed to see this winter wonderland on Osage Lake.