Wonderful pictures! Could not possibly pick a favorite, for they all tug at a prairie gal's heart:)

Sometimes one muses about people in the past that would have been nice to meet. We live in a 100-year-old stone farmhouse and I often think of the talent and labour that went into the building of it. Those early stonemasons are the people I'd really like to have met.

As a former resident(Moose Jaw, early '80s) with a daughter born in Saskatchewan, brother in Regina, and friends in Saskatoon, I would like to wish Kate and all the people with the pioneering spirit a Happy 100th Birthday. That includes Alberta too.
In all the years I've wandered about the prairies, photographing the land, I was always in awe that the history of the prairies is out in the open for all to see. Grain elevators and abandoned homesteads dot the countyside, real links with the past. I was always amazed to wander into an old farm house to see furniture and items still in place and virtualy untouched. Unlike other parts of the country where anything abandoned would be trashed and burned, most people there respect the property of others.
So Happy Birthday y'all.

You know, this all makes me nostalgic. Although only a wee feller while living in Regina, I remember everything vividly and fondly. I still have family in Saskatoon. My brother returned for a few years to CFB Moose Jaw and naturally revisited our old houses at Dolphin Bay and on MacKenzie Crescent in Regina.

Happy Centennial, Saskatchewan.

BTW, I wonder if they still have the Buffalo Days with Pemmican Pete and all that? I still have some old souvenirs.

My mother was born in Beedle Saskatchewan (near Kindersley) in 1912, when the province was only 7 years old. She's not here any more, but Happy Birthday Saskatchewan on her behalf.
Two Cents

Nice work Kate
the barn-moon pic is great and the car has the greatest colour, did you use a filter for that one?

I was in SK at 10 years old, stayed at Hoppy's Campground surrounded by grain elevators. All I remember was Regina but that was going west, Hoppy's was going back east. Anyone know where Hoppy's is or if it still exists?

Yeah, Assiniboia sask(the town)I was born in the assiniboia hospital along with my sister and brother.My father was born on the homestead 16 miles n.w.

Those threshing crew pictures were great. I remember my dad telling me he used to stook under the hot southern saskatchewan sun for $1.00/day.

My brother still on the homestead and boy do I get homesick for that place,as a kid growing up there the summers seemed to last forever ,hot and lazy days without a care in the world. So many fond memories there, makes me want to return to a simpler time and place.

www.pioneeracres.ab.ca
Just outside calgary,they have some of the tractors and combines I grew up on,great little museum, one room school house etc,etc.

It sure is great having a blogger; Southern Saskatchewan Farm Girl Kate who likes to bring all us ex sask boys and girls to tears as we start thinking about life as it once was back in sask. So just for that may you eat a grasshopper on your motorcycle on your way home from saskatoon,that will teach you to mess with us ex sask folk.

Show these folks the pictures you took july 2004 of the little abandoned town while accompaning the out of province photographer where you state:colour gravity,gets me everytime.

The Drake & Mate is no ordinary photograph. Hoar Frost and the drift are good too. My favourite is the Dodge. Have a weak spot for old American Cars. Real sculpture of our times.

Guess your brothers were fun loving.. eh?

Don't part with your Minolta SRT 200. Just guessing. Mine works fine and always did, while more expensive Minoltas had to be kept in your jacket or even armpit, yet they would quit in the cold. I disdain automatics. 73s TG

The creek picture hangs wih pride im my kitchen and the local Doctors office.

Now was I there the night you had that beer? :-)

You were not only there, you led the expedition into the tower of the town hall....

For "Spike", the shots taken in the Arelee area last summer are here;

http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/000526.html

Thought so, seems that part started after the sun came up if I remember correctly. I did have a bit of a habit of starting the shit, breaking & entering and such.

Kate,
re: Spike the anonymous reporter is right, you've a good eye. The blue door/red chair reminds me of some I took in Morocco only to find out that the "good" camera I was given was crap and the "crap" camera was good. So my green walls/orange door/arabesque tiles didn't turn out. C'est domage

Sounds like Kate and Kevin used to hang out awhile back.

Myself, weekend before this one I purchased a new digital Kodak Z700 w/ manual controls. I'll tell y'all, I'm learning about photography faster than a drunken nympho gets into her birthday suit! Never before have I taken such amazing photos! Shooting small animals is indeed rewarding.

Sending my congratulations and warm thoughts to the people of Saskatchewan!

Your photo gallery was remarkable - such that I was hoping for more pics! Thank you.

Kevin's grandma and mine were sisters.

:)

100 years of abuse and indifference....had enough yet?

I'm thinking of getting a digital but know nothing about them. What should I look for? Any suggestions on make/model?

HR

So much potential lost due to decades of socialism... :o(

Why, I would recommend the Kodak Z700 at about $300 or less, or even better, the Z740 with twice the optical zoom and an extra MP, for about 450 bucks or less. Many brands offer very decent lower-priced models ($150 & up) with plenty of features, but I'm glad I got the Z700. Of course, then there're the "pro-sumer" digital SLR models for a $grand or more. All depends on whether you're a beginner or have lots of experience with the film SLR version. There're many similarities as well as differences between film and digital.

Here's a good link to digital photography info and all kinds of cameras with comprehensive reviews.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

Also Google "digital photography" and the whole thing will be right before you for your learning pleasure.

The FutureShop.ca website with full specs and explanations of its digicam offerings will be of value.

I also recommend "Digital Photography for Dummies" :-) as I have that book myself and it helps.

As far as I'm concerned, this type of pic taking is way better than film pixing. I just love it.

Plus you can take pix and immediately view on your PC or print them on your inkjet or email them or download to your blogsite in no time at all. No waiting! You only use the pics you want. No waste, either!

Happy birthday Saskatchewan!

I live out east, in the middle of a forest. The land about me was all marginal farming land, upon which people gave up perhaps 80 years ago. I can see the remnants of settlements -- an ice house destroyed by fire here, mere foundations covered with moss there. An iron bed frame, twisted by fire, eagerly reassembled in the midst of the woods by local children.

The joy of your province, your home, and your brilliant photographs, reminds me of the joy I have in my home, and the history in both.

Thank you,

Holmwood.

Beautiful and familiar photographs. I live on Llano Estacado part of the Great Plains.

Way back when I first discovered this site I saw the photo gallery - didn't feel the need to comment then as there was no real opportunity without interupting a thread - so yeah - great pictures Kate. From one crazy driver to another (my friends won't even let my drive the golf cart) winter roads, maybe not such a good idea if you have any sort of sentimental attachment to your life.

Happy Birthday to Saskatchewan - you know AB and SASK were supposed to be one big province so when we go, we'll take you with us if you want.

TY Stephen for the info, much appreciated
I took black & white photography too many years ago to remember how to work my SLR, besides it was stolen along with other stuff in '96. I guess I would be a beginner again, although I liked developing the black & white pix, 'cause you could get creative with the paper or exposure time, sabatea etc

HR, you can do B&W on the Z700, too. And you can be immensely creative with the photoediting apps available out there.

It's not hard to learn digiphotography, besides, it's quite fun, the whole learning process.