Frozen lake

In harsh winters the biggest artificial lake in South Moravia Region in the Czech Republic get's frozen. It's surface and surrounding serves as a habitat for over wintering Bean Goose, Whitefront and Red-breasted goose. They overnight on the ice and each morning set off to search for food on fields. They return each evening at sunset to spent a night in safety on open surface of the lake (1100 hectares).

                                                The right temperature for a real winter trip.

The lake doesn't get frozen each winter. These images were taken in February of 2012. In 2014, the lakes are not frozen yet, because winter was unusually warm. The average temperatures were high above normal.

                                                             Cormorants in flight.

                                                Cormorants sitting, drying wings.

                                                    Smooth ice is perfect for skating...

                                                               ...and for biking as well.

                                                                      Reed in winter.

                                                                             Ice patterns.

                                                                         Backlit ice.

Geese overnight on the ice and leave dropping behind them. They make visually interesting patterns on the ice.

It's interesting that such a thing named "droppings" can be interesting for a photographer. And to the viewer as well (hopefully).

                                  Vertical version of the droppings with a landscape in background.

                                                                    Ice patterns.

 Frozen lake.

A church on an island in winter of 2010.