Spectacular Saskatchewan

by | Dec 8, 2016 | Parks, Travel Photography

Nigel invited me to explore Saskatchewan for a few days so I decided – Hells Ya I’m Going. So late last night we flew in to exceptionally chilly temps (-30ºC). It turns out that our 3 days here will be among the chilliest they have seen in awhile. Luckily I came prepared and things out here don’t seem as bone deep chilly as back home in Ontario. It must be the dryness of the air.

Today was definitely tolerable (it helps to have loads of warm layers) and I’m so glad it was. Just take a peek at these awesome photos I was able to get from our drive from Regina to Swift Current.

Modern Grain Mill

Modern Grain Mill

My first grain mill. Okay it was a modern one and I can’t wait to see some of old iconic ones. There is loads of space around these mills so it makes it Beverly easy to compose images with Saskatchewan’s dramatic skies.

Abandoned Shack at Sunrise

Abandoned Shack at Sunrise

I made Nigel pull over for this old shed. The low sun through the clouds made it seem as though it was the golden hour but I’ll tell you a little secret it was just after 4:oo pm. This is why winter is great for photos. The sun just never makes it up very high which means great light all day long.

The main reason for coming out to Saskatchewan – I know you were wondering – was to visit the Great Sandhill Dunes. We thought it would be interesting to photograph them in winter. And I’m glad we did. It was perfect with the dusting of snow and moody skies. 

Cold Sandhill Dunes

Cold Sandhill Dunes

Today’s temps were in the -20ºs so we were able to stay out for about an hour but not much more than that. Once we got cold we headed to our hotel in Swift Current for the night awaiting our next day where our plan was to head over the border to a small town in Alberta.

Mills of Central Ontario

by | Dec 28, 2015 | Archtecture, Conservation Area, Local Photography, Parks

Nigel Banks and I headed to the Peterborough area to find us some nifty looking mills. Ball’s Mill, which has been converted into someone’s home, was our very first stop of the day. You’ll notice that the name on the building says Baltimore Flour Mill. The mill is located in the town of Baltimore in Northumberland County thus the name on the building. That said, John Ball bought the mill in 1884 and that is why it is called Ball’s Mill. Confused? I know I am.

Balls Mill

Balls Mill

Not too far from Balls Mill is Fowld’s Mill, which surprising has also a converted to a home now. (Okay not really surprising since it seems as though quite a few in the province are now someone’s forever home.)  Just behind to the left you can see the old water tower from the now defunct tannery.

Fowld's Mill

Fowld’s Mill

From Fowld’s Mill we headed to two mills located very close together. The first is Lang Mill, now part of conservation area. Your standard looking stone mill on the water built in 1846.

Lang Mill

Lang Mill

Up river from Lang Mill sits Hope Sawmill, still in operation today. I say this because there is a lot of sawdust gathered on the side of the building, piles of it..it’s kinda hard to miss. Course you can’t see it in the photo since I found a good angle that cut it out. Don’t worry you are not missing out.

Hope Sawmiill

Hope Sawmill

Our day ended too quickly but with four different mills photographed it was time for the long drive back home to see what we had captured.