Extreme Snowflake Capturing

    It's snowing outside.  I've checked several times to see if the flakes are photo worthy.  They aren't.  This morning they are just clumps of ice crystals, which are beautiful in their own way, but not photo worthy. 
    It's quite a chore to set up my computer, camera, and equipment outside on a winter day.  Not to mention preparing myself.  I'm a naturally cold person, so I have to bundle up a lot if I'm going out.  I have to have at least one hand bare through the photography process, so I can adjust the focus as needed.  My fingers get frozen pretty quickly. 
    Despite the nature of the hobby, my heart gets excited when I'm home, with no place to be rushing to, and it starts to snow.  If I check, and the snowflakes are good, I even jump around a little.  This only happens a few times a year, when the planets align just so. 
    Earlier this month I had the chance.  Bailey and I took hundreds of pictures, and ended up saving 104 of them.  It was ideal snowflake conditions:  just the right temperature (about 12 degrees), just the right humidity, and time for us to work. So many beautiful creations!  Every flake was amazing! My new digital microscope met all my expectations. I didn't want to stop, but standing by the fireplace to thaw out finally won me over.
    It's interesting the adrenaline rush I get from capturing and preserving those tiny marvels of nature.  This is my idea of extreme sports.  

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