We typically have skate-worthy ice by Christmas, but this year’s wacky warm winter has put a kink in our firehose.

Optimistic about the prospect of frigid temps, young Ben was out today laying down the first layers of ice. The sun was hitting him from behind, illuminating the water spray and inhibiting the freezing process, no doubt. While the bright colors of his ski gear don’t show up in this b/w version, the high-contrast patterns are still visible and interesting.

Too bad you can’t see how he’s grinning from ear to ear behind that scarf, imagining about how fun it would be to spray the photographer.