With temperatures dipping into the teens and single digits for much of the past few weeks, the harbor of Oyster Bay has taken a decent freeze. For most of us this is merely a picturesque curiosity. On Friday, Jan. 30, however, hardy baymen tested the ice and were out attempting to earn their living despite nature's most recent obstacle.

Working at low tide they cut holes through the surface and were braving arctic-like conditions. It has been many years since they have had to do this. They joked about building moveable huts and working inside where there could be warmth.

Shown hamming-up (for the camera,) with his chain saw ice-cutting technique is John Britton, while bayman Jim Schultz diligently works alongside. The ice thickness can be seen in a photo detail. Others out that day included Fred Menges, Jack Chale, Jim Martin and Mike Gee.

While there is much beauty in the frozen bay, ice also has destructive powers. Shown here is the familiar dock along Shore Road. Ice has tightly gripped the pilings at its end. Every incoming tide ratchets the pilings farther up out of the sand while outgoing tides only slide downward without putting them back. Eventually the end of this dock will break off completely.