Stuck in Toronto for the brutal polar vortex...couldn't be happier. Here's why....

[philmar]

It's been mind numbing cold here in Toronto for the last couple weeks, as it has elsewhere. Truth be told I absolutely LOVE when it gets incredibly cold because of the image opportunities it creates. Though I live in a metropolis of 6+ million people, I live walking distance from the shores of one of the Great Lakes which is wondrously transformed when it gets ravaged by Ole Man Winter. Here is a sample of a few of the images I've taken while wearing 2 pairs of sock, long johns and two winter coats.
And here is a link to a gallery of more: https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort...19polarvortex&user_id=12624630@N02&view_all=1

Stay warm my friends. Pray for more chilling temperatures and embrace winter!

Icy lily paddies forming in Lake Ontario under the polar vortex - Kew Beach, Toronto by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Centre Island pier and the polar vortex by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Frozen in time - Lake Ontario [1 minute long exposure] by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Natural ice sculptures - Ashbriges Bay by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Patterns of Kew Beach by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Dusk at Balmy Beach - Toronto by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Fun at the beach...in February - Woodbine, Kew and Balmy Beaches in Toronto by Phil Marion, on Flickr

 

[androiduk]

Absolutely beautiful pics Phil! Brutal working conditions but definitely worth the effort.

 

[lenaitch]

Beautiful photos. Winter really does provide a compelling canvas. If that weather was "mind numbingly cold", you need to travel more or buy better clothes. Admittedly, it seems anything below freezing brings Toronto to its knees.

Edit: I had signed out and felt compelled to come back in and apologize for raining on your clearly talented effort to 'light a candle rather than curse the darkness'. It's kind of my knee jerk reaction to the enduring myth that we are 'a northern people', which is largely laughable for the vast majority of the population of Ontario.

 

[leanelissen]

The pictures are really stunning !

 

[philmar]

Frozen Woodbine Beach covered in ice in winter by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Frozen fence on Woodbine Beach by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Some early morning excitement on Balmy Beach by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Centre Island Pier in winter by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Frozen lake spray by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Lake effect steam fog rolls in off Lake Ontario in -32 Celsius wind chill by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Kay Gardner Beltline Trail after a blizzard by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr

Cold water dipping in extreme cold weather - freezing fog covered Lake Ontario by Phil Marion (199 million views), on Flickr