Alaska, USA - May 21, 2024

As the days grow longer and the temperatures begin to rise, Alaska transforms into a breathtaking canvas of springtime wonders. From the melodious chorus of songbirds gracing our mornings and evenings to the delicate crinkle of thawing ice slipping through our fingers, the season marks a tender farewell to the stillness of quieter times and a joyous greeting to the awakening landscape.

The ice that adorns the landscape during this transitional period holds a special significance. Known as "primary ice," it boasts clarity and crystalline beauty, composed of hexagonal plates, needles, or sheath-like structures with large crystals oriented up-and-down. Despite its fragile nature, the ice exudes charm, emitting a gentle chime as it breaks apart in one's hands and returns to the water below.