Astronomy Picture Of The Day: Sentinels of the Arctic

Normally APOD gives us breath taking views of the cosmos. This time, we see a alien looking landscape.....right here on Earth:

Who guards the north? Judging from the above photograph, possibly giant trees covered in snow and ice. The picture was taken last winter in Finnish Lapland where weather can include sub-freezing temperatures and driving snow. Surreal landscapes sometimes result, where common trees become cloaked in white and so appear, to some, as watchful aliens. Far in the distance, behind this uncommon Earthly vista, is a more common sight -- a Belt of Venus that divided a darkened from sunlit sky as the Sun rose behind the photographer. Of course, in the spring, the trees have thawed and Lapland looks much different.

Astronomy Picture of the Day

My very first thought when I viewed this picture, was that they were plumes from volcanoes!

But in fact they are just tree's being weighted down by frost.

reply to post by eriktheawful

In Japan they are know as Juhyou. I did a thread on them several months ago.

Juhyou - The Beautiful Snow Monsters of Japan

Beautiful and fascinating.

S & F for posting another wonder of nature.

Wow. How much big are these things?
Beautiful.

Originally posted by swan001
Wow. How much big are these things?
Beautiful.

In that picture in my OP, I don't know. I do know that Lapland (Finland) get's like up to 30 inches of snow in the norther part during the winter annually.

@Isyeye - Great thread and pics you have there! Thanks for posting it!

reply to post by eriktheawful


I thought it was a photo of the activity in the House and Congress.
Kidding. Cool pic. And a pun lol