Northern Saskatchewan 2010 - Autumn

Yellow Birch and Willow, and red Blueberry plant leaves.

Labrador Tea plants with many orange lower leaves.

Sounds and sights of migrating waterfowl nonstop August, September

Warming lunch fire after fishing with a very cool north wind.

My hands were frigid after filleting two Pike.

Early snow in September

Red Squirrel midden with stack of Pine cones

Tamarack with yellow needles

Decreasing daylight can mean finishing supper chores by candlelight.

Late morning sun low in sky

 (not high enough yet to fully illuminate the opposing shore)

"Mackerel" sky (altocumulus clouds).  This was a very cool paddling day in October. 

Northern Saskatchewan 2010 - Forest Fire

Ruby-red sun, a sure sign of forest fire smoke

The lake water surface, coated with forest fire ash

The above pictures are of forest fire signs quite close to my camp.

The first time I have had to "flee" because of fire.

I left in mid-July (above) and came back in mid-August (below).

The following pictures are of areas through which I travelled to get out before they were burned.

They are sites where I have camped or portaged in the past, including when I came in May.

Within a few weeks, some plant life, like this alder, already re-growing.

Northern Saskatchewan 2010 - Bugs

Blackflies can be bad when you are sweaty, especially bad in autumn.

Clothing is the best defense.  I do not use bug spray.

The headnet is so important, I have three of them.

Luckily, blackflies "disappear" when you make a smoky fire.

This last picture is at a portage with very bothersome blackflies.

Smoke, tea and a bite to eat were very welcome.

Northern Saskatchewan 2010 - Kitchens

My summer kitchen with a level, clean, dry pole floor.

A small lunch fire.

An above-ground fireplace is necessary when a pit cannot be dug.

Green tea in lower pot on pole.

  Split-pea/white bean soup in upper pot.

My moss hole "refrigerator"

Birch bark makes excellent tinder.

Moss-covered dead pine (and spruce) branches are good kindling.

Northern Saskatchewan 2010 - Shelter

May snowstorm