Winter Wonderland Unexpected Blast

For those who are enjoying warm weather somewhere in the world all year long, this is how the fourth season of winter looks here in Ontario, Canada. The winter is beautiful; however, it can be dangerous at times. Today we travelled to see family in the morning. It was a beautiful, cold, sunny day, and I thought it was also a good day to take my moon photos (well, not for long). While driving, we spotted an older man driving a van. There was smoke coming out of the back of his car because he was driving on his emergency breaks. So how do you try to wave someone down to let them know that they are on fire? In this case, if traffic is moving over 100 km/h, it is not that easy. I think it is probably best to call the patrolling police. However, the beautiful winter driving does not end here for us.
On the way back, we were caught by heavy winds while driving on the highway. Slowly, we were moving into the snow clouds; however, it was still sunny. Then suddenly we spotted a whiteout, which may have been 2 km in front of us, and in a matter of minutes we were inside the storm. This wasn't looking good, as we saw a police cruiser, a few emergency construction trucks, and then tow trucks passing us. This cannot be good, we thought again, and it wasn't. Apparently, a few kilometres in front of us, a major car pileup occurred as we listened to the radio. The problem was that it was a sudden surprise, where a sunny sky suddenly turned into a snow squall. The result was a major car pile-up in a few areas. Therefore, please enjoy the winter (if you have one), but also be safe when driving. We were lucky to exit the highway just in time and take these few winter wonderland photos—all white like that—in a matter of 2 hours as the previous snow melted due to the warm weather.
Enjoy and drive safely!

~ Anna

Comments

Livingsword said…
Hi Anna;

Very nice pictures that helped remind me why I live in Vancouver…

I saw the car accident on TV…. And thought of you!

This year the Vancouver area has had more days of snowfall than most people can remember. Of course there has been little snow compared to everyplace else in the country but for us it is a big deal since we have years with no snow at all in the city.

Right now we have no snow on the ground, but at night the rain drenched roads do freeze up at times and could be used for hockey practice.

It is beautiful on a sunny day as the local ski mountains are blanketed with snow and you can appreciate them while playing golf….
Oswegan said…
Nice captures Anna. I can feel the cold in those shots. Brr.
Merging Point said…
It leaves me with a touch of serenity!! lovely ones indeed!!!
Anonymous said…
Looks like you guys have one storm after another.
We have some here but just up in the mountains.
Anna, there is an award for you on my blog. :D I know you have to add it to your treasure chest. I have one too. :D

Beautiful winter photos!!! Our highway wasn't considered a *main one* this year and the plows aren't plowing as much as in the past. It's been harder on Jeff driving.

Have a super day!!!

Hugs, JJ
Great photos Anna! We rarely get such cold icy weather in Texas, but when we do, my mom never wants to drive anywhere at all. She stays home with me!
--JB
Anonymous said…
Hi Anna! I also love living in a place that has 4 seasons. At my home we get cold weather and a little snow. But we can drive only a few miles and be up in the snow. The winter photos I have posted on my site in past weeks are taken about 1/2 hour from our house.

Today it is about 35 degrees and very windy. But it is beautifully clear. I am going to knock off and go for a walk in the 100+ acres of empty fields behind our house.
MedaM said…
I saw the photos of car accident on the page you recommended and I don’t like what I saw so I’ve come back to enjoy in your beautiful winter photos.
We have no snow any more and it is rather warm over here for this time of the year but we hope to get some snow in February. I am looking forward to it.:-)
Jo's-D-Eyes said…
Hi Anna,
Thanks for posting I love the weather and esspecially snow, its so great to see, yes also dangerous I know... So better be carefull! Nice photo's thanks!

When you are interested I posted some "nature FROST' photography with a slide show and music , that combination is quith interesting, see and visit my blog:)

Have a noce and creative week.
JoAnn from Holland
myonlyphoto said…
Hi LS, wow you are first for this post, thanks. Never been in Vancouver, only on the airport, but I can only imagine and saw from the photos how beautiful place it can be. I think the weather overall is very unstable all over the country, we had unusually a lot of snow here too, along with warm weathers up to 14 C, where all the piles of snow melted. LS thanks for sharing about Vancouver, appreciated. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Scott for visit. I have to admit it was cold when I took these photos - but I shot them while driving with simple point and shoot camera. Hope you are doing well, thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Merging Point thank you so much for your visit and comments - serenity it is. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Chris, yes you are right snow is just rolling in, and now it comes unexpected too. We really have to becareful. Thanks, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Oh JJ thank you so much, I will visit later to pick it up.

That is what is happening with us too, if snow plowers have nothing to do we are first to be cleaned off the snow, but then when it is busy otherwise, they don't come at all to our subdivision. However, it is nice to be covered with undisturbed blanket of snow once in a while. BTW I saw first time ever Melrin just around the house, I went to get camera, but he was gone. May be next time. Thanks again for comments and the award. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi JB, I thought there were no cold weather's in Texas. In deed when is cold, I love staying home too. Thanks for visit, I will see you later. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Will and thanks, when we were driving I was telling my husband, we can really see the changes in weather over 1/2 hour of driving. We live away from the city in the colder area, however, it is more beautiful here during winters. So you got 100+ acres of land behind your house, wow, must be fun to walk and see all kinds of birds and animlas. Hope you had fun walking, and hope you tool your GPS with you, lol. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Medam, yes we watched all on TV, and it wasn't pretty. Luckly there were no serious injuries, however, speeding and weather was a factor. People just don't realize. You really need to watch out during sunny days turning into snow squalls. The semi-warm surface road melts the layer of snow, and the cold freezing air freezes into perfect black eyes, very dangerous. Glad you enjoyed my photos, and I don't mind cold as long as I am at home, but I am patiently waiting for the spring, but then there is still February. Thanks again for your comments, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Joann for your visit, I think eventually I am going to make it to your blog, sorry for that. Thanks for commenting, and you should see me later. Thanks, Anna :)
RW said…
I can see them now lol! There very beautiful photos Anna! I so glad that you made it home safe!! Some people drive like jerk-offs in the ice in snow and I guess they do that in your Country to. Have a awesome week!! :D
Max-e said…
Very nice shots Anna. Our temperatures in Port Elizabeth are very moderate and last winter was so mild I seldom wore a jersey.
It does snow inland on occassion, but not for long. Maybe this year we will take a drice to see the snow.
Anonymous said…
No GPSr needed out there, Anna. 100 acres is not as big as it sounds. I noticed that most people on Blogger don't have a dig button on their sites. Just in case anyone was wondering how to do it, here are two links with instructions for two different buttons.

Digg Button 1

Digg Button 2

-Will
myonlyphoto said…
Roger, thanks, I bet it was bat blocking your internet, lol. Thanks for the email, and info on gimp, I will definitely check it out - oh boy what would I do without the internet, lol. About driving, oh yes some people I think deserve to be in the ditches, lol, we see those all the time, and sometimes, I am sorry, but I have to laugh knowing how they got there. There are also some highways that during bad weather people drive like crazy, and some people are over cautious. Since that pile up, I think people been a bit paranoid, because now they are on the other side of the extreme - 1/2 hour drive turned into 2 hours drive today and yesterday, lol, nothing we can do, just laugh and enjoy the ride. Roger, thanks for your kind comments and laughs, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Max-e thanks for dropping by and your comments. I thought that in you place you wouldn't get any snow, if you get it please post I would love to see it. Hope all is well with you, and thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Will you are the best, thanks for all your help, I will definitely check it out, and hopefully others will look into also. I was thinking about it, and believe or not you came just in time with your always useful info. Hey I know that 100 acres is not that big, but last time we took a hike on my in-law's 100 acres (almost forest) property, we got lost, lol. Well it wasn't behind the house, so good thing we figured out how to get back to the car. I am one of those, that I get very easily disoriented in the forest, my grandmother told me to look on the tree trunk discoloration, darker always faces deep to the forest, but this wasn't the case, the trees were too young. Thanks for coming back Will, and your help, always appreciated. Anna :)
Bob Johnson said…
Excellent pics Anna! really captures the beauty and cold of winter. Today we got another dump, and lots of accidents, one person got hit infront of our Mall, minor injuries, so he was lucky, also a bus pulling into our mall skided and drove into a cable box and somebodies backyard, problem is everybody drives like its summer.

I've been in a few whiteouts, nothing more scary, this year we have been lucky with no whiteouts in the city, plus I only live a few blocks from work.

Good luck with your Moon shots!
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Bob, thanks for the comments. I think we are getting snow everywhere in Canada. You are absolutely right, people do drive like its summer. Thats a lot of accidents for the mall. I ditched car once too, but my fault was to slow down when I was coming down the hill. I was lucky that car was pointy, because I slid under the cable guard with no problems, better than hitting someone in the opposite direction. After that I drove like old lady, scared to press the gas pedal and the break pedal, lol.

It is nice to live close to work. I used to work at home, but then I had to go on site. Lucy that me and my husband we work together, so when I leased the car for business, I hire him as a driver, lol. It is always nice to have someone around.

I almost had the Moon photo yesterday, it was still reddish when rising but behind the semi-transparent clouds, but then more snow came, oh well....

I will check out your cool moon photo tomorrow.

Anna :)
Hi Anna, your photos are very nice. I can imagine how beautiful of winter is from your post. Thanks very big for sharing and please take care of yourself while driving on the ice : )

Cheers
myonlyphoto said…
Hi DSM thank you for your nice words. As much we can have bad outcomes from the winter, the fourth season of the year the winter is actually very unique and beautiful season. I am sure you have seen JJs photos, she really is helping us to love winter through her stories. I will definitely take the advice and drive carefully. Thanks again, Anna :)
Livingsword said…
Hi Anna!

Come and get your award and tag…

http://lifeontheblade.blogspot.com/2008/01/blogging-community-awards-and-meme.html
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks LS, I will, as a matter fact I actually peaked before this message. Thanks again, Anna :)
Hi Anna,
Thanks for visiting again, and you very nice comments!
--JB
Max Coutinho said…
Anna,

These photos are amazing: magical! I must salute you for them *raising my bottle of water*!
As a matter of fact I am one of those who is enjoying great and warm weather (at last Portugal is back to its good old days) :D! Yesterday was so hot that when I went to my daily walk I sweated like crazy lol...

Winter is dangerous to drivers. Here when it rains there are always accidents and people actually die. Long weekends are dreadful and dreaded *nodding*.

I know that you don't enjoy cold much, but at least it gives you the opportunity to take wonderful photos :D.

The warmth in my heart flies out to you, my friend :).

Cheers
david mcmahon said…
Beautiful photographs, Anna

So very different from our hot, dry Australian summer.

My next novel is partially set in your neck of the woods ....
kml said…
Anna - you certainly had quite the adventure - glad you got off the beaten path to take those beautiful photos. Stay safe on those roads - they are tricky in good or bad weather these days!


Kathy
Splendid Beauty!!! absolutely breathtaking photgraph
God is Great look at His marvelous creations.
Godbless You Anna would have posted yersterday but the pafge couldn't load so I tried today and Thank God it loads.
Lynda Lehmann said…
Beautiful photos, Anna. Now I wish I lived in Canada!

Anna, can you come over to my site to see what I have for you?

Hugs,

Lynda
Hi Anna, These beautiful photos betray the chaos going on around you when you took them. A guy driving a burning car, and multi-car accident. Yikes. I'm glad you made it okay. Once again, wonderful photos...and the story was riveting, lol. -Mike.
Swinging by for a wild wave, Anna. Our temps are warming. You may be able to take that scarf off for a few days. :D

Hugs, JJ
myonlyphoto said…
JB thank you too for coming back. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Max, thank you for your kind comments and raising my bottle of water too (I have milk in my lunch box, but I will save that for later, lol). There is nothing wrong with enjoying nice warm weather, lol, I am enjoying to wait for one, lol.

You said: 'Yesterday was so hot that when I went to my daily walk I sweated like crazy lol...' - hope you were carying that water bottle with you.

You said: 'Winter is dangerous to drivers. Here when it rains there are always accidents and people actually die. Long weekends are dreadful and dreaded *nodding*.' - it is the same for us with rain also, and long weekends are the highest in accidents too - as I said before, we are such 'on the rush society'.

You said: 'I know that you don't enjoy cold much, but at least it gives you the opportunity to take wonderful photos :D.' - it is in deed true, winter if not disturbed is very beautiful.

Max thank you for your comments as always. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
david mcmahon (I have to go by your both names, as I have few David's here)- welcome to my blog and thank you for your kind comments. Yes it is in fact different weather from Australian weather, however, we got those hot days here in Canada too - and then we complain about the heat, lol. Good luck with your novel. BTW visited your blog, very interesting stuff you have there. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Thanks Kathy, we were lucky that day to get off the road just in time, as a matter of fact it happened to us few times - sometimes we wonder. Thanks for your comments, and yes I will stay alert. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Channelofhealing, thank you for your kind comments and nice words - its been a long time since I used 'splendid' and 'breathtaking'. I myself encountered the page loading problems too - it could be anything, I always come back later. Thanks for the visit, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Lynda thanks for your kind comments. Yes the grass looks always greener on the other side of the fence, lol, I wish I could live at your place too. Sometimes we do need change, but I often find myself wanting to come back home and enjoy my own place. Thanks for the award, what a surprise. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Mike (Mr. Grudge), thank you for your kind words, and welcome again. Yes that is what I say all the time, Yikes, and yes we were lucky to get off in time. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi JJ, thanks for the swing, and the warm message. Never know may be the warm front is coming my way too - we had freezing weather today, but the sun was warm and at the same time melting snow off the roads and houses. Thanks again, and it is always nice to see you here, Anna :)
Max Coutinho said…
Anna, my dear;

You are most welcome :D! lol oh, you have milk in your lunch-box! I don't drink milk if it is not chilled...
"I am enjoying to wait for one" LOL LOL LOL I liked this one; very good :D!

Actually I don't carry my bottle of water with me when I walk (I walk for an hour and a half everyday) but when I get home I drink water like crazy lol...my skin thanks me for it everyday LOL :).

"Winter if not disturbed is very beautiful" - this is so beautiful! I think you have a poet within yourself :D!

Don't mention it; it is my pleasure to entertain these conversations with you, my friend :D!

Cheerio
Anonymous said…
WOW. Hard to believe you were almost there in the pileup! Nice shots Anna. Still...I'm sick of winter and I am definitely yearning for spring :-)
~JD
Thanks for dropping by my site!
Anonymous said…
PS
Joderebe = the uneasy supplicant
:-)
~JD
david mcmahon said…
Hi Anna,

Thanks for the visit and the lovely comment.

Do keep in touch. Our blogs seem to have so much in common ....
Livingsword said…
Hi Anna;

I think I have forgotten to mention how much I am enjoying your avatar. Great image, perfect for comments!
kRiZcPEc said…
Hi, just to say congratulation: you've been awarded the blogging mentor prize.
Max Coutinho said…
Dear Anna,

You have been tagged:

http://maxcouti.blogspot.com/2008/01/big-bang-world-record.html

Cheers
Swubird said…
Yeow! Just look at that weather. When it gets below 70F I have to put on a coat.

But on the plus side, the extreme weather produces such scenic splendor, and you certainly capture it all in your wonderfully beautiful images. I get the shivers just looking at them.

Have a nice day.
Lena said…
thats exactly what winter is like here, seems like even being miles away we enjoy the same climate. Though somehow i always get tired of a long winter :(
Peter said…
Hi! I've been talking to Bob Johnson about possible damage to a digital camera used in temp's as low as -27.

Going on your photos have you come across any problems with your cameras in temps like this?

As for your new header image, its fantastic! You and Max have the best I've seen!

Just curious!
Peter
roentare said…
So beautiful that I cannot believe this is on earth!
Dick said…
Hi

I love your winter pictures, but I don't like the cold. We haven't had winter for years.
Bob Johnson said…
Sorry Anna, couldn't hold off any longer, you have an award at my site.
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Max, yes I have milk in my lunch box, lol, sometimes, my lunch box is chilled so it says cool for a while. I only drink hot milk and honey when I am sick and desperate to recover really fast, lol.

That is good you drink water, it is not really good to get dehydrated. You walk for 1 1/2, that is really good - proud of you girl.

Poet within me I don't know, I think I am picking up stuff from other bloggers, lol.

Thanks Max, off to get to your other comments. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi JD, oh I know who you are, lol. I remember your ID from the last blog when commenting. Thanks. Yes winter when too long really can get you - trying to eat lot of fish and Vitamin D, we rarely get sun too due to the snow. BTW yes I was lucky with the pile up, I could not believe the damage. Thanks again for you visit and kind comments. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
David Mcmahon thanks again, will definitely do - Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi LS, thanks for the complements, now that I think about it, I think you are right it is great for comments, lol, either signing or being hungry, lol. Thanks again, and likewise I like yours. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
kriz cpec, thanks for the award, this is really nice of you, on my way. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Dear Max, thanks for the big bank tag, that sounds like something Bob would have answers too, lol, on my way to check it out, sounds interesting. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Swubird, in my case I have to put layers of coats, lol. Don't you get your shivers too soon, if the winter keep up you will be seeing more, lol. Yes when the spring will eventually come, it will be really nice to photograph growing life. Thanks for your kind comments and visit, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Lena welcome on my blog again, it is nice to see you. Thanks for your comments, yes we all get tired of the winter, but I also find it that when the spring is too long, or summer or fall is too long I am ready for the change, and change is good, just sometimes the effects of seasons are unticipated and we get tired if there is too much snow or too much drought, or too much rain - it is all about balance. Thanks again for your kind comments Lena, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Peter, you remember your quest for the perfectionist, I have to tell you if the weather was too cold he would freeze too, lol, lol. Yes any type of electronics, and that is what your camera has, electronics, sensors - all the delicate stuff you could imagine. So yes becareful with cold weathers and also with hot weathers. Your manual should have specifications. Humidity may not be good either, unless it is water proof camera. Also, changing from cold too hot location, creates condensation, so this is again not really good. Hope this helps.
I have SLR and often in the cold weather my lense would not work, because the metal that mounts to the camera body shrinks and looses connection. Same sometimes happens with hot weather, something mulfunctions too, and reset is necessary.
Peter today products that have electronics, will eventually mulfunction due to weather changes, this is what I am experiencing in our new car, it really get your high blood pressure going when the sensor for tires pops, lol. The advantage of all that that we have more flexibility to do more and too see more, but it will break faster in my opinion. So Peter hate to tell you that becareful with your camera, lol, it is not prefect, so is mine. Hope it helps, and sorry for long reply. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Roentarre, you have to believe now, photography is wonderful. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Dick, thanks for your comment and visit. Well, we cannot have everything, lol. Yes winter is beautiful to watch from the window of our house, and from the computer window too. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Bob, I am going to get you, lol, thanks for the award. I will see you later, my fridge is empty, lol. Thanks again, Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
k m f, thank you for your comment, it is always nice to see you here. Anna :)
Anonymous said…
Great series of winter shots. Looks like the weather here where I live. Very well done.
Peter said…
Hi! Anna. Thank you for the detailed explanation. An article that I just read on the net backs up your advice. Not that I doubted it. It confirms that condensation is the major concern.

As for me high temperatures and dropping the thing, would be my problem.

No need to say sorry and yes, I will be careful.

Take Care
Peter
RW said…
Hope you had a awesome weekend Anna!
kRiZcPEc said…
You're looking for your award? I thought Lynda has given it to you. Did I get it wrong?
Livingsword said…
Hi Anna;

I thought of you today as my lovely wife and I went for a walk in the falling snow here! Car accidents all over the place, major bridges shut down with multiple accidents, white out conditions. Ok it lasted for about 4 hours but here it is ugly, this is the land of umbrellas not snow tires! Yet interestingly many are saying how nice it is compared to the perpetual rain and overcast. :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi John, thanks for the visit and nice comments. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Peter, thanks for confirmation and double checking my information. It is okay, I usually bs what makes sense, lol, so I told you what I knew from some experience and some common sense.

You said: 'As for me high temperatures and dropping the thing, would be my problem.' - time to get a cooler and chain, lol.

Thanks Peter for your feedback and confirmation, now I feel much better, lol. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi Roger, thanks for visit and checking on me, lol, the weekend was great and very busy, but I was still able to fit watching 'I am legend' with Will Smith, scary content. I will see you later on your blog - check my last post, I mention you again, just couldn't resist. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
kriz cpec, I don't know I will check with Lynda, and if Lynda didn't then you got confused with someone else - last week was really rewarding week, I got about 4 and I don't even know if I deserve, since I been really behind with my blogging. Thanks for letting me know my friend. Anna :)
myonlyphoto said…
Hi LS, oh your thoughts are appreciated. We were fortunate to get some warm front coming in, but still cold in the evenings. Never really walked during falling snow LS, must have been nice walk - do you make snow angles on the snow - I have those urges all the time, just I am afraid that someone will call me crazy, lol. Wow these are some crazy accidents, hopefully no one got hurt. LS just don't go walk on those busy streets, it is dangerous. All the best to CG, and yourself, and thanks again for thinking about me. Anna :) BTW I will be over your place later today.
myonlyphoto said…
kriz cpec you are absolutely right about award from Lynda, I got so many that I didn't remember from who, lol. Thanks for the reminder, Anna :)