Snowflakes

These are some of the amazing snowflake photomicrographs taken by Vermont farmer, scientist and photographer Wilson Bentley. It was Wilson Bentley who first proposed the idea that no two snowflakes are alike! As snowstorms blanket the East Coast and the Rockies this weekend, look around at all the white, millions and billions of snowflakes, and really think about how every tiny snow crystal is unique and one-of-a-kind!

Starting in January of 1885 Bentley took over 5,000 photographs of snow crystals ~ not an easy thing to do before they melt to water or sublimate directly to water vapor! After some experimentation, he developed the technique of capturing snowflakes on black velvet-covered boards and then quickly transferring to a microscope slide to take the photo. His work is an amazing intersection of science and art and a testament to the beauty and wonder of the natural world.