Wild phenomenon - Water drops on water?

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/28/2008 07:05:36 PM · #1

I was down at the creek in my parent's back yard. The temperature was somewhere between 38 and 42 degrees and it was lightly raining. My mom noticed that some of the raindrops would appear to float on the surface of the creek for about a second before disappearing below the surface. At first I thought it was frozen rain which would float and then melt, but there was no evidence on my jacket arm or outstretched hand that any of the raindrops that were falling were frozen. I tried very hard to shoot pictures of it, but I only had a 17-40 with me. I got a few, but the phenomenon is out of focus. I'll upload a few for people to see anyway. It was quite crazy and I've never seen anything like it.

Bugzeye

12/28/2008 07:17:00 PM · #2

could it have been air bubbles from the water drops hitting the water? how cold is the water in the creek?

12/28/2008 07:17:22 PM · #3

I know it's totally out of focus, but note the droplet in the upper right. It hit the water hard enough to make a ripple, but would float there for a second before disappearing. I'll look for some more examples.

Google Glass Google Glass

12/28/2008 07:24:06 PM · #4

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

could it have been air bubbles from the water drops hitting the water? how cold is the water in the creek?

I don't think so because they were clearly above the surface of the water. Like a perfect sphere floating on top. Here's another picture. You can get a sense of how long they were lasting by noting how far away the ripples are from the top drop. The water temperature would be very cold, I'm guessing in the 30s-40s since there is snow in and around it.

Message edited by author 2008-12-28 19:25:24.

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

12/28/2008 07:24:54 PM · #5

I've seen it a few times. I suspect it has to do with temperature and surface tension of the water. I've only seen it on still water though, like ponds, not a creek.

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

12/28/2008 07:45:37 PM · #6

The cold water probably has alot to do with it, Could be small particals of water from the splash of the rain that freeze just enough to float then melt as you said in first post.

That or it is Posible that

IreneM is in town,.

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:
could it have been air bubbles from the water drops hitting the water? how cold is the water in the creek?

I don't think so because they were clearly above the surface of the water. Like a perfect sphere floating on top. Here's another picture. You can get a sense of how long they were lasting by noting how far away the ripples are from the top drop. The water temperature would be very cold, I'm guessing in the 30s-40s since there is snow in and around it.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/28/2008 07:52:13 PM · #7

Ya, don't let her know about this or we're screwed. I do know that water is densest at 4 degrees Celsius which would be 39 degrees Farenheit. It's possible that has to do something with it.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

12/28/2008 08:08:35 PM · #8

maybe try to re-create the phenom with an eye dropper or something... bring a thermometer with you too... ?

or maybe it's heavy water ;)

Message edited by author 2008-12-28 20:09:42.