Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes and is named after a Native American tribe that lived on its southern shore. Most of the water flows into Lake Erie from the Detroit River. The outflow from the lake creates another wonder, the Niagara River. The western basin of Lake Erie is the home for about 26 islands, depending on current water levels. Lake Erie also provides for a regional phenomenon - lake effect snow that makes Buffalo, NY infamous for its winter storms.

In winter, the lake is converted into an otherworldly place. While the shore is turned rough with piles of ice and snow, the remaining area is turned into a vast polar experience. Ice as far as you can see and beyond. With no moving water it feels more peaceful, quiet, and even larger. Arriving early, before the sun makes it over the horizon, means several things. It is going to be very cold, it is going to be quiet, and it is going to be almost free of human presence. You can hear the ice cracking with different sounds. Unlike other places before sunrise, it is not going to be abandoned completely though. Ice fishermen are going to be in action. You can see them scattered in the distance if you look carefully. And once in a while the quiet of the morning is going to be interrupted by their ATVs.

And then when the sun finally peeks over the land behind you and scatters light over the texture of ice and snow and illuminates the distant horizon and the city of Buffalo it is a magical moment. And while the temperature barely changes just the sun's presence makes everything feel warmer.

In this photo the long ice crack seemed to run from the beach as far as eyes could see, possibly all the way to Buffalo.

Lake Erie, Hamburg Beach, Hamburg / Buffalo, New York (NY).