Lens-Artists Challenge #328 – Winter
John started this week’s challenge with a reminder that “winter will be upon those living in the northern hemisphere in only two weeks.” That sent chills up and down my body. I knew nothing about real winters for the first twenty-five years of my life. Growing up 300 miles south of the Equator, we only had two seasons: dry and sometimes rainy. John’s challenge reminded me of the winter of February 2021, or as it is known in Texas: Snowmaggedon.
Here are some key details about the Texas Snowmaggedon. In Central Texas, we seldom get snow, but this snow event was different. It covered the entire state from February 11-20, 2021. In our home, we were lucky and never lost power. We had plenty of food to last through the entire period. Austin received 6-9 inches of snow. The impact was disastrous for a state unprepared for that type of weather. There were widespread power outages, several days of freezing temperatures, snow and ice-covered roads, significant damage to infrastructure, hundreds of deaths, and severe economic losses.
The first two photos above were captured at Mills Pond. The featured photo was taken at the end of the Snowmaggedon, when things were beginning to melt. That small pond was completely frozen.
Below is what our yard looked like after the snow started to melt. That large tree branch bending on the left side of the photo did not make it. It fell with the ice weight. Luckily, we did not have any other damage to our home.
When temperatures climbed above freezing, I ventured outside to capture more photos. Here is another park scene close to our house. This is Copperfield Nature Trail.
Although we were lucky in 2021, the same did not happen in 2022. We had a couple of snow days and lost electricity. We had to spend a couple of days at a friend’s home. Our house’s temperature reached only the upper 30s (around 4ºC). Here’s what the backyard looked like.
In 2023, nothing drastic happened. A more common winter event in our area is freezing rain. I use it to capture macro photography around our house when that happens. The accumulated ice on the plants is magical. Some icicle formations look like jewelry. Here is a sample.
The 2021 Snowmaggedon left Texans filled with concern. The Texas power grid is unprepared to handle extremely low temperatures and high user demand. Every year, we hope that we won’t have another 2021 winter.
Sofia’s five elements challenge was eye-opening and exciting. The way you responded to the challenge was excellent. The photos and your creativity were unparalleled.
I look forward to your responses to John’s challenge this week. You can see his post here. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
As it has become an annual tradition, the Lens-Artists will once again offer a “Last Chance” challenge next week. Your response should include only photographs taken in 2024 that have never been included in response to our previous challenges. We look forward to seeing what you come up with. The posts will go live next Saturday at noon EST in the USA. Please visit this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
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Teresa
Wow, winter looks great. And love the icicles.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Teresa. I got to find a way to enjoy winter. Those macro shots keep me busy, but I have to hurry back inside for warmth.
Teresa
Enjoy your hot drink and warm blanket. haha
Anne Sandler
Wow Egidio! A snow storm at Austin’s altitude. And you have amazing images as proof. I’m so glad you didn’t get any damage. It snowed in Sacramento once since I’ve lived here, but the flakes didn’t stick. I didn’t mind because I remember snow in NYC. Here, we get to drive about 1 hour and visit the snow and come back. I hope you have a snow free winter!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. It used to be we’d get light snow every five years or so. Now, it’s very unpredictable.
photobyjohnbo
I remember reading about Snowmageddon when we were spending the winters in Arizona. It was amazingly cold that year as well for the Phoenix area. In 2019, we even had snow about three miles from our house in Buckeye on the top of some of the White Tank Mountains, something we hadn’t seen before or since (though the snow didn’t last more than six hours before it melted.
Egidio Leitao
That used to be the case for Austin. It’d snow overnight, and by noon, it was all gone. Now, we’ve had more intense snowstorms.
Tina Schell
Beautifully done Egidio – it sounds like winter in your world is similar to ours. Having moved from the north we laugh when the entire area is shut down by an inch of snow! The big storm in your world must have been disastrous as I’m sure it would be here. We don’t realize how very dependent we are on our creature comforts until they are taken away! Terrific response.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Tina. I had the same feeling about winters in your area. Snow is usually rare here and melts quickly. The big storm was a big mess.
Solaner
Very nice collection, Egídio.
I like your ice sculptures most. I also included one in my winter collection.
After reading about it, I‘d like to see a few images from the Snowmagedon. 🌨️☃️❄️
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your feedback, André. I was cooped up in the house during the whole week. The snow on our driveway made it impossible to leave the house (the driveway is steep). I’m sure I’ll post other photos of snowmaggedon in the future.
restlessjo
I love your home warmth shot, Egidio, and those jewels are beautiful. Snow can be disastrous for those who’re not prepared. I’m not really sorry to say that I now view it from a distance.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. I appreciate your feedback.
Patricia Moed
I love your ice “jewelry,” Egidio. Beautiful macro shots. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to acclimate to the cold when you haven’t experienced it. I still have a hard time even though I was born in New York. 😊😊
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your comment and compliment, Patti. About the weather, what makes it worse is the quick switch from low 80s to low 40s. It’ll happen again. Yesterday, our high was only 43F. Monday’s high is predicted to be 81F.
Toonsarah
I remember reading in our news about the impact of that snowfall in Texas. As you say, your state is totally unprepared for this sort of weather. You captured some great photos of it, however my favourites are those delicate ice formations!
Egidio Leitao
Unpreparedness and high demand were the recipe for disaster. The same goes on in the heat of the summer. Thanks for your comments.
Marina Owens
wow! the icicles are so beautiful!!!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Marina. I was surprised at those shapes, too.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Despite the crazy snow and downed branches, you captured the beauty of snowmageddon, Egidio. The icy jewelry is amazing! My cousins live in Centerville and experienced 2021’s snow. They lost power for a week! Spokane may finally get snow this week. I love the snow and cold, must be my northern European blood!
Egidio Leitao
Terri, it’s like the old adage about making lemonades when life gives you lemons. That 2021 event was all across Texas. Snow is beautiful, but I prefer to go see it instead of having it around here. Texans do not know how to drive in snow and ice. Thanks for your comment.
Sylvia Bacon
Egidio, you have some wonderful pictures, thanks to the Texas Snowmaggedon. Love seeing the ice icicle jewerly – the earing and the pearls especially. My favorite though is the picture taken in your yard showing the sun’s rays shining through the tree branch. A great post!
Egidio Leitao
Sylvia, many thanks for the compliment.
JohnRH
😱 Great photos Egidio. Personal faves are the ice drops! Well done.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John.
Ana
Stunning winter images, Egídio. I really liked the ice ones.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Ana. I’m glad you liked them.
I. J. Khanewala
Those last three photos are beautiful: that’s what I remember most fondly about a northern winter.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much for the compliment. It’s appreciated.
Klausbernd
Hi Egidio
Your ice pictures are great.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for the compliment.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful photographs Egidio and I especially love your macros of the frozen rain 😊 Here’s hoping you will all stay safe and warm this Winter too🙏
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Xenia. I appreciate your feedback. Best wishes for a safe and warm winter for you, too.
Sofia Alves
It doesn’t look like enough snow for so much disruption, but it’s all down to being prepared, isn’t it? I love the icicles, fascinating stuff.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sofia. Here in Central Texas, we don’t really know how to drive or handle snow. Whenever there is snow or ice, most businesses close until the ice melts.
Wandering Dawgs
Your images are spectacular. My favorites are the ice from the freezing rain. Coastal Georgia winters are a lot like you describe your Texas winters. The last time we had snow and freezing rain was in January, 2018. It would be happy if it never happened again!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. The older I get, the less I like cold weather.
Lindy Le Coq
I remember that storm of 2021 – it was in the news every day, and I felt so sorry for those who lost their lives or loved ones due to the lack of power to their homes. The photos are beautiful however, and the ice jewelry is very fun!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing, Lindy. While people were suffering, Sen. Ted Cruz was caught walking through the airport on his way to Cancun to flee the cold weather. That was so inconsiderate of him!
Rebecca Cuningham
Icicle jewelry! Sign me up, I’m a fan. : )
Egidio Leitao
LOL Thanks for writing.
Leya
Glorious icicles, Egidio! A necklace of those…♥ And yes, being prepared is everything. Stockholm gets some snow now and then, but we have a good laugh at the chaos it brings! We usually have heavy snow storms down here at least once every winter, with traffic jams and the military coming out with tracked vehicles to rescue people in the windy areas. Wind and open spaces make the houses easy targets for gathering mountains of snow.
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, thanks for the feedback. What you described in Stockholm also happens in this part of Texas. A lot of businesses close when there is ice and/or snow. It’s too dangerous to drive.