Yellow Snow Photography

Outdoor Education Fridays

2012-01-27T17:42:00.001-08:00

Outdoor Education Fridays, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Watson Lake, Yukon

2012-01-20T08:07:00.001-08:00

Watson Lake, Yukon, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Alaska Highway trucker putting on his turn signal to go into the the weigh scale at the town entrance. All trucks have to stop here as the go north or south on the Alaska Highway for weight and safety checks. I had passed my camera to my secretary Kathy www.flickr.com/photos/kasia67/ I gave a ride home to as her new car isn't here yet. She likes to hunt caribou with her vehicles. The camera was set on dramatic tone setting in its art filters to pick up grittiness of the gravelled highway. A warmer -39 C .

Alaska Highway S Turn Just Past Sundown

2012-01-19T18:39:00.001-08:00

Alaska Highway S Turn Just Past Sundown, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

I don't use cell phone or text to Facebook while driving.. mainly because there is no service out in the remote parts of B.C. and The Yukon. Fog is from Liard River where in some spots warm springs and fast water keep patches of open water flowing. -39 C at this time of night... just aroun 5:30 P.M.

Where Strays Play at - 57 C

2012-01-18T19:10:00.001-08:00

Where Strays Play at - 57 C, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

At my school of course so I can have some company in an empty school as I do student learning plans.

-57 C or -70 F

2012-01-17T08:28:00.001-08:00

-57 C or -70 F, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Today is another cold day... dogs are cuddled in their beds and my dog sitting dog is with me at school curled by my feet. No students will show up as none did yesterday but I am here and will work on individual learning plans and a video conference from another school in my district on how to teach reading better. Global TV BC is featuring my images from here on their weather segment this morning. :)

-51 C Sunrise

2012-01-16T18:24:00.001-08:00

-51 C Sunrise, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

This morning we woke up to -51C. The thermometer at school showed that while the weather network said -46 but it gets its information from Watson Lake. No students showed up for school but secretary and I got some student planning done.

Belly

2012-01-15T17:48:00.001-08:00

Belly, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

The one eyed rescue that I am dog-sitting for the local priest. Just before I took Belly out for a walk he had a scrap with a local tough guy hence the blood on the ear.

Mooning Over You

2012-01-11T22:30:00.001-08:00

Mooning Over You, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

I can feel that
I can almost reach you
to hold your hand
in the full moon of
the winter's night
where frosted breath
turns cloud
into a romantic's
daylight

Phoenix

2012-01-08T10:03:00.001-08:00

Phoenix, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Like the raven, which is the north's answer to the phoenix, people who live in the north continually adapt and change to survive. I have re-invented myself several times in my life... a airframe tech in the Royal Canadian Air Force, to a runner studying physical education and dreaming of being a coach, to a sporting good business manager, to a teacher, being married to being alone, dog rescuer, dog sledder, photographer, beer and wine maker. We all reinvent ourselves as we explore the life that is ours. We will each dream of change as we rest in our beds at the end of the day to arise for another day of challenge and change. Life is about change as is nature as is this common northern silhouette in the sky.

Mush! Video

2012-01-07T19:09:00.001-08:00

Mush! Video, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

A great late afternoon along the Hyland River following a trail set by an elder's skidoo that leads to his cabin and ranch where he winter feeds his pack porses. It went from -20 to -4C this afternoon. More snow falling... the images below give you an idea of the beauty... the tracks beside the trail are moose tracks.

The Photographer Becomes The Photographed

2012-01-05T17:05:00.001-08:00

The Photographer Becomes The Photographed, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Brianna taking some winter shots at lunchtime recess turns and shows her beautiful smile. Our school has cameras for every student with photowalks and photo-journalling as part of our language arts. We even have a student photographer of the month. that is celebrated on one of of hallway bulletin boards. -19 C when this was taken at 12:55 P.M.

Sun Over the Liard River at 2:38 P.M.

2012-01-02T17:47:00.001-08:00

Sun Over the Liard River at 2:38 P.M., originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

-30 C (-22F) here as sun is setting over the Liard River. The winter sun gives off long shadows and a great blue light when it is out that adds to the photos we northerners take. The river is frozen over completely in parts and I have already travelled over parts of it upriver by dogsled. I bask in the sun and look forward to each sunny day although as school is starting up again on January 3rd, it will be after school or at recess, or when I take the kids out xc skiing, alpine skiing, snowshoeing or dogsledding... :) I put a series of three images below (on flickr link) that I took on this sunny afternoon walk. After this day the clouds and snow came and my previous images were after these ones chronologically but I wanted to share them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBmueYJ0VhA

Awas to 2011

2011-12-31T20:20:00.001-08:00

Awas to 2011, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Awas is Cree for go away. I took the woof pack out for one last ride of 2011. Temperature was -30C but clear. I was following a trail laid out by a kaska elder. Sorry for the poor quality but it gives you some idea of the beauty I live in. I have Flickr's pull line wrapped a few times around the center line so she will actually be forced to share some of the work. :) Sorry for the poor quality of video as I had 50-200mm lens on and not used to doing a lot of video work.

Canis Buddis Horriblis

2011-12-29T18:58:00.001-08:00

Canis Buddis Horriblis, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

My 6 year old rescue buddy who may be part wolf.

De-icing By De-Dog

2011-12-29T08:32:00.001-08:00

De-icing By De-Dog, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Pardon my English... Jeff chewing off ice balls on the hairs between his toes. To help him on dog sled rides I am trying vegetable oil rubbed onto his paws before dogsledding. I really don't want to go the booty way... bad enough some dogs are made to wear sweaters.

Bison Lick

2011-12-27T13:06:00.001-08:00

Bison Lick, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

To beat my Xmas blues I went driving down the Alaska Highway to soak in the Liard Hot Springs. I spent more time photgraphing the northern wood bison along the highway. In all I counted close to 100 + of these fine beasts. The northern wood bison is up to twice the size of the prairie cousin down south. For perspective the shoulder hump is up to two meters tall (6+ ft).

Golden Boy

2011-12-24T21:22:00.001-08:00

Golden Boy, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Alas there was no room in the manger this night when the star shone so brightly. The animals were warmed by its light and message of good will and peace on earth.

A Mushy Chistmas Card

2011-12-24T10:18:00.001-08:00

A Mushy Chistmas Card, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

I celebrate Christmas by watching my Flickr and Facebook friends enjoy family celebrations. I can't say I enjoy it as much as I battle seasonal holiday depression...kind of like the dark tones on the snow around me ... it gets brighter on the trail ahead. I do love the spirit of the season though so I want to wish you all the very best on Christmas Eve. I will be giving the dogs a rest today after two days of pulling andI will be going to Liard Hotsprings that are just down the road...on the Alaska Highway. My Christmas will be with the dogs once more on the trails trying to think of resolutiions to keep, challenges to face honestly, and things I am truly thankful for... like you my Flickr friends.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DugJqaoiDFc A more upbeat musical ending featuring my rescues you all must see... :)

Dog Mushing at Sunset

2011-12-22T19:03:00.001-08:00

Dog Mushing at Sunset, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

Why I like to go sledding in the late afternoon... out for 4.5 hrs today... Nick is way in front as a chase dog. forestry road along the Hyland River in northern B.C. about 20 km south of Lower Post. Taken with school point and shoot camera. Must view in Lightbox... click on pic for the uninitiated.

Christmas Card For Slager Family

2011-12-20T09:59:00.001-08:00

Christmas Card For Slager Family, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay Yellow Snow Photography.

I had some fun with Picnik making a card for the Slagers. Because of the late session I tagged it in Facebook for them for a modern delivery for them. Usually I edit in Aperture but like Picnik for some of the seasonal fun.

Xmas Tree Bokeh

2011-12-14T20:25:00.001-08:00

Xmas Tree Bokeh, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay~YSP.

The first of a series of images that I will be uploading into a set called Lower Post Xmas Dinner 2011. The Daylu Dena First Nation has a community Christmas dinner, carol sing-along with the Denetia students, and a visit from Old St. Nick to give out presents to kids and elders. It seems to be growing every year and my girls did a great job decorating the gym and setting up for the dinner. This bokeh is from our tree in the hallway as you come into the school.

Adopt Me!

2011-12-10T14:53:00.001-08:00

Adopt Me!, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay~YSP.

One of four pups in need of adoption... two boys and two girls to go to forever homes. The dogs are healthy but need shots and a promise by new owners to get them fixed. Call Chris Semple 867-536-2893

Free to Good Home

2011-11-28T18:13:00.001-08:00

Free to Good Home, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay~YSP.

Seven mixed breed puppies and loving mum to loving lifetime home for FREE. Must agree to have dog spayed or neutered and have regular vet check-ups. To be interviewed call Bruce McKay at 250-779-3334 or Chris Semple 867-536-2893 to view. Donations to Denetia Animal Rescue can be made at denetiaanimalrescue.blogspot.com

Nicole Parry- Tired Traveller

2011-11-24T13:08:00.001-08:00

Nicole Parry- Tired Traveller, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay~YSP.

I ran into an old friend on the plane to Vancouver. Nicole was travelling with one of her three kids to see family in Victoria. I thought I recognized her and she was first to remind me I knew her and her husband Ryan from when I lived in Whitehorse. They are a great couple. A cute image of her son to follow. I am in Vancouver for a FNESC conference for educators working with aboriginal youth.

Alaska Highway Sunset

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-08:00

Alaska Highway Sunset, originally uploaded by Bruce McKay~YSP.

driving 120km/hr taking 100 pictures through my windshield -20C