35% of drownings in Canada happen between the months of October to April. As these large bodies of water freeze over, we are captivated by the beautiful crystalline patterns that etch their way across the surface. Lulled into a false sense of security, we trek out onto these icy giants, forgetting the inherent danger that lies below.

Tragically in February of this year, two snowmobilers passed away after falling through the ice in British Columbia. Prompted by this article, over the course of a month from March 9th to April 9th, I documented Lake Simcoe as it slowly thawed. Making sure to keep references of scale in each image, I wanted to create a series that showcases both the beauty and the haunting size of these frozen lakes. The goal is to provide the viewer with an idea of what is actually going on when these lakes start to melt. The full scale of the pressure cracks and melt pools aren’t always visible from ground level. Through the use of an aerial perspective I want the viewer to be extremely aware of their own fragility, hopefully providing the realization of how small we are compared to these massive bodies of water.