Snowflakes

I've always been intrigued by how the structure of water molecules form six-sided "flakes" when frozen. Growing up in California, I haven't had much experience with snowfalls. I find this very unfortunate. True, I would bitch and moan into next year if it were cold enough to snow, but it would be worth it, right? I never knew that there were so many kinds of "flakes." I use quotes because some of the crystals aren't flakes at all. My favorite are the capped columns. They look like empty thread spools.


A sectored plate and a hollow column crystal.