Tamara Dayle 2/24/23 Tamara Dayle 2/24/23

Winter get away in Waskesiu

Wildlife, ghost town, scenic winter landscapes, frozen lakes and sprawling forests. A photographers dream really. Im not a travel writer, and I generally suck at logistic details, which doesn’t bode well when recommending and promoting destinations on the old social media vortex.

So please bear with me on this blog post.

A chance to just indulge in thine own creative self and make some pictures because i want to.

Not because there is some sort of looming client dead line or pay cheque attached.

Foot prints in the snow leading down to the snow covered beach leading to a snow covered Waskesiu lake

Every couple of years my husband and I take a little winter trip up to Waskesiu.

For those not familiar, its about 2 and a half hours (238 km) North of Saskatoon.

This year, like every year mid winter, it was much needed. Kind of like hitting a mini refresh button.

Kinda.

In the deep dark chill of winter, January can often feel like it’s 62 days long, instead of the actual 31. Especially when the temperature hovers in the -27 to -35 range for days on end.

A boatless and snow covered marina

A deserted and snow covered store at the marina Waskesiu Lake

A snow covered dock marina at Waskesiu Lake

As an Entrepreneur and creator, this time of year can also feel stagnant, uninspired, anxious. In my profession this is one of the quieter months. Which can work to a photographers advantage if you can get past all the other bullshit emotions that start to creep in.

Black and white photo of tree shadows on a snow covered beach, lake and picnic tables waskesiu Lake Saskatchewan Canada — Tree shadows on a snow covered beach lakeside Waskesiu Lake, PA National Park

An Elk stands on the snow covered road a fellow elk eats vegetation in the background Waskesiu sk — An Elk standing on the road, pauses for a photo shoot. Thanks Elk

The bustling summer hamlet of Waskesiu is located within Prince Albert National Park. Not so bustling in the winter months.

Surrounded by Boreal forest, lakes, and campsites.

This snow covered and seemingly abandoned community does host a few winter wonderland visitors like us. And I far as I could tell, a small number of full time residents tucked in the back end of town, some RCMP, park staff.

But truly, its emptiness is eerie yet peaceful.

The pay phone.

Thanks to cell phones, here stands an archaic form of communication

A snow covered SaskTel payphone in the summer town of Waskesiu — A snow covered SaskTel payphone in the seasonal town of Waskesiu

A snow covered patio at the patio cafe — A snow covered patio at the Patio Cafe in Waskesiu

A deserted, snow covered Tempo gas station out of service for the winter

We chose to stay at the Hawood Inn , located across the street from the lake.

In the winter it hosts winter wandering adventurists like myself and my husband, looking for a quick and affordable get away.

Staying at the Hawood Inn you have access to snowshoes and cross country skis and 2 roof top hot tubs. It’s located close to some groomed ski trails.

You are almost guaranteed to see some deer, fox, and if your lucky a few Elk.

Take the scenic route 263 past Emma and Christopher lake off of highway 2, into the park if your not afraid of some snowy roads.

So beautiful, and so close. Go take a tour, you won’t regret it.

Tamara Dayle 7/1/18 Tamara Dayle 7/1/18

Canada Day

Well I felt the need to share this little blurb although most likely a day late.. as I have been enjoying this Canada day long weekend at one of our 10,000 beautiful lakes here in Saskatchewan. Like most lake front oases here in the Saskatchewan, the cell service here is spotty at best, and when needed down right dysfunctional!
This big beautiful country we live in deserves a massive high five and some supreme love today! Not like it doesn’t serve such tender affections everyday, but today is the day our country sets aside to spread some extra love, and I am So very proud to call Canada my country, and my home.

I am thankful and blessed to have been born into such a great country, that on an average given day, spreads such polite and apologetic, compassion and kindness, that us Canadians are known for it world wide.
Keep spreading the love Canada. It always wins.

With sporadic cell service, a full patriotic heart, and throbbing liver, I bid you adieu

Take off Eh - Bob & Doug Mckenzie would be proud

xx TD

Tamara Dayle 7/17/17 Tamara Dayle 7/17/17

Brooklynn B.

This lovely just wrapped up that life chapter we like to call high school. Bring on the next stage of this life adventure!

A grad photo session

Saskatchewan style

These two have been best friends forever. They made a pact when they were little, to be there for each other on grad day. And so here they are.

These two were such good sports! Thanks for getting lost with me B + C

Tamara Dayle 3/8/17 Tamara Dayle 3/8/17

Sailor Dan

Famous in his own right, Sailor Dan is kind of a local celebrity around these parts. I had been looking to find this infamous local artist for the sole purpose of a brief photo op. So you could probably imagine my level of happy when he happened to turned up in my neighbourhood mall parking lot. There he was, just standing there, selling his art to some guy in a truck. So I seized the moment and asked if he’d be a willing subject. He graciously agreed.

We set up a time to meet in an hour or so, because wouldn't you know it, I had my dogs in the back of my truck, and of course no camera. The next hour transpired as such.. High five'd myself - did a happy dance - got a coffee - walked the dogs - drove home - grabbed my camera, and booked it back to the arranged location. Would he bail? Will he be where he said he would be? He didn't, and he was - true to his word.
No surprise someone had recognized him, and commissioned one of his drawings right then and there. So I had some time to shoot this fabled sailor in action.

While he's creating his masterpiece he attracts a bit of attention.

A few admirers stop to say hello.

Chatting up this old Sailor can be a challenge with his gravelly mumbled voice, but he is such an iconic and gentle character it was worth the struggle.

I thank you Sailor Dan, you are a brilliant subject, and a genuinely talented soul.

Tamara Dayle 2/6/17 Tamara Dayle 2/6/17

Childrens Hospital Foundation Radioathon

There has to be a million great causes to part you from your money now a days. But I’m telling you, sick kids has to be top of the list. Come on.. Sick kids? Oh my heart! Alright and puppies, ok dogs.. I’m a sucker for dog rescues. Wait, and elephants, Ok maybe dolphins too. For love of god, I need a second job. My point is, when it’s local, and there’s sick kids involved, it is worth the time and the $$ to get involved, always..

And I'll tell ya what- Saskatoon is the best at this rally and support thing, yes we are! Look at the love, money + efforts that come together for the Kinsmen Foundation's annual Telemiracle here in Saskatchewan. Going into their 41st year this coming March 2017. They've raised millions for Saskatchewan residents helping those with physical challenges access to special needs equipment and medical assistance that wouldn’t otherwise be attainable. Thats how we do things here on the prairies. It’s how we were raised. Spreading the love regardless of race, creed, or religion. Take that Trump.

To read some of their stories go to Children's Hospital Sask

Unfathomable to imagine, and thank god for small mercies, that most of us will never have to know the pain, suffering, and anxiety these children and their families endure. No one ever knows what the future holds regarding the health of a child, grandchild, niece or nephew. It takes a a lot of dedicated and caring people to build a successful fundraising effort such as the Children’s Hospital Radioathon .

There is a small army of volunteers, supporters, sponsors and donators that pull off this three day event. And with a 6am start time daily, my level of 'you people are THE shit' kinda went up a notch. Ya ya, I know there are waves of shifts and replacement volunteers, but there are also individuals that are there for the full shindig each day. The funds being raised are for the sole purpose of pediatric care and equipment for the province of Saskatchewan. And without a doubt we will be needing a lot of it to fill that brand new children's hospital with some top notch, cutting edge technology and equipment.

Great vibes - fun people. A big high five to all that selflessly come out to do their part, ring those phones, and help raise some serious moola. All $431,409.60 of it!

Until next year folks

~TD

Tamara Dayle 1/10/17 Tamara Dayle 1/10/17

Photographing The Chill

Well it’s fourty below and a don’t give a f#ck… That’s right, 40 below with the windchill folks, once again. It could be worse, It could be -40 before the windchill. These are the small blessings us Saskatchewanians are actually thankful for in mid-January here on the prairies. Sad isn’t it?

Early morning downtown Saskatoon-  20th street — Early morning downtown Saskatoon- 20th street

It’s 7 days past Christmas, plenty of time to come to terms with the fact its all over and get back to the reality of the daily grind. It’s also fly day for Ma & Pa. I am driving them to the airport at 7:30am so they can catch a flight back to Parksville B.C. Where they now live. Sask. born and raised, even they threw in the towel when it comes to dealing with our cold prairie winters.

Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone. The house will be empty once again. Quiet, lonely, void of all family. But I am not going straight home after I deliver these precious packages to the airport, I’m going to photograph the chill. Who’s brilliant idea was this you ask? Oh ya, mine.

This city of Saskatoon is beautiful. It really is, even in the cold, I promise. And the weather is not always frigid. I promise this to. This engaging and divine city is just the right size, and oh so friendly! Yes yes, in the winter it does have it's moments of sub-thermal. And some days not just cold, but fucking cold. I don’t like it, not one bit.

But the other seasons in this place are stunningly beautiful, colourful and inspiring. Summer is most definitely my favourite. It’s warm, sometimes too damn hot believe it or not.. The anticipation of those muggy summer days, and late night barbecue suppers on the deck. Forests of green, barefoot on a beach, green and yellow rolling fields stretching as far as the eye can see, all the way out to where land meets the sky. Fiery sunsets, oppressing humid heat, and dark thunderous looming skies. That eerie quiet calm before the summer storm. And oh the camping, with those lazy summers nights around a lake front campfire.

So you see, this my friends, is what keeps us going through the inevitable onslaught of blistering cold. Trust me, its worth it. Most days anyway.

So stay warm fellow Canadians for the ice will melt, and buds will soon bloom, a sure sign of a joyous and much anticipated reprieve from this frigid hell. Just kidding. Hell is hot.

P.S. Miraculously enough no fingers or toes were lost during this frigid shoot.

Brrrr
TD

Tamara Dayle 8/8/16 Tamara Dayle 8/8/16

The 50'ith

Well Ma & Pa’s 50th wedding anniversary has just passed. There was a small gathering with some close family and friends. Some last minute rushing and planning. Some lack of organization, communication, and at times assistance; Marinated in a good dose of anxiety, all neatly wrapped up in a large loaded soft tortilla of love, appreciation, and nostalgia. I’m hungry can you tell?
All in all I escaped unscathed with most of my sanity and pride in tact.

Ah, this funny guy can still make her laugh — Ah, this funny guy can still make her laugh

My parents are pretty great. First of all I thank the lord, my lucky stars, and a few angels every day for still having the both of them around. They are fun and full of life and I can’t imagine not being able to share all the good stuff with them.

Vacation selfies out on the ocean low tide, Parksvillle British Columbia

Dennis and Val were high school sweethearts. Cool hey? (Is it still cool to say cool?) And the fact that they are still together probably makes them eligible for some kind of “defying all the odds” certificate of merit.

They are fantastic role models and I admire their commitment to family, and each other.

This celebration of defying all odds A.K.A 50th wedding anniversary, was held here in Saskatchewan. Both of my parents were born and raised right here, but in recent years have migrated to a little community in B.C. With the distance they needed to travel, and their presence somewhat required.. this party could not, and was not, a surprise.

Campers at heart, I arranged the weekend at a small regional park/campground in a little hall on the golf course out there. We gathered, we camped, we ate, and we drank… Its the way we roll here with summer in the Sask.
Some very close friends of ma & pa's travelled all the way from Iowa and surprised the hell out of them. Of course I knew they were going to be making the cross country trek, but the utter shock and joy of this little surprise for them was one of my favourite parts. The smiles and laughter lasted the whole night, I'd have to say, it was worth every minute of fuss.

So here is a kick ass moment alert! My dad is a musician, and he doesn't go far without his guitar. - Hey, that rhymed - So no surprise, he took stage and started jamming with old band buddy Gerald. Old referring to the band.. and not those two crazy coconuts ;) It would not have been the same with out them busting out their talents.

Both my boys and Holly (my daughter in law to be;) were there - As most parents with grown kids can attest too it’s not very often the whole clan is together in one place. Big heart sigh!
Aunts, Uncles, cherished old friends, and even some of the original bridal party, all came to help party the day away.

On a side note, that end of the night shit got real as nephew Jayce broke out the clothes pins. Despite what you see here, I assure you - No children were harmed in the clean up of this hall...

Saluti
TD

Dennis + Val, sittin' in a tree, K-i-s-s-i-n-g

Tamara Dayle 6/29/16 Tamara Dayle 6/29/16

Farm House

Some of the coolest little adventures come from exploring the mundane and everyday. So when my husband suggested taking a little detour on our way home to Saskatoon, for my own selfish reasons, I was all for it- its the photographer in me.

We were straying off the beaten path to visit the house he lived in as a small boy; An old abandoned farm house in the middle of the prairies? Hell ya.

Sask. born and raised, I’m no stranger to old farm yards and the abandoned dwellings that scatter our countryside. The prairies are full of them. But this would have some sentimental value and memories. For Brad, because this is where he spent part of his childhood. And for me, reminiscing about the adventures in exploring old abandoned farmhouses as a young girl with my dad.
This dreary rainy day complimented perfectly the lonely emptiness of this deserted house quietly awaiting our intrusion. Pulling into the abandoned yard Brad maneuvered the truck through the bumpy overgrown field, grass as tall as my waist.

Getting inside was somewhat treacherous! I'm going to admit the flip flops and camera dangling from my neck were not conducive to the task. If ever there was a Kodak moment this was it. God bless a patient husband.. There was a slanted plank propped from ground to the door threshold, that was slippery as hell from all the rain, front entry steps long gone.We strategically assisted one another, (insert husband rolling eyes here) in scaling the slippery slope up into the dilapidated front entrance.

Some Old technology left behind.

Cracked, peeling, and in need of love. If these walls could talk.

Ceilings caving in, and bird droppings piled high throughout. Broken windows and peeling wall paper. This place couldn't be more perfect, in all its dilapidated splendour.