feather frost
a.k.a. "frost flowers" or "ground frost" or "ice wool", requires a waterlogged surface exposed to cold air. The result looks a bit like hoarfrost or rime. Coarser columnar crystals can emerge from banks of mud, especially if there is moss or other debris on the surface.
Am I on the right track with this photo?
This picture was taken in Yellowstone where it is everywhere.
Uploaded on January 11, 2013