The following images were taken over the years while working and living in the bush in Northern Ontario.
Morning
Slash Pile Burning in Ogoki, ON, Canada
Noon
Slash Pile Burning in Ogoki, ON, Canada
Night
Slash Pile Burning in Ogoki, ON, Canada
There is my old bus, access is rarely this good.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
Sometimes there are serious obstacles that prevent access
(Before) – Looking South
Tree Planting in Ogoki, ON, Canada
We used timber that was left behind by the logging company to build a quad bridge.
(After) – Looking North
Tree Planting in Ogoki, ON, Canada
Quad access makes things harder. A high percentage of time is spent trying to dig/lift quads out of mud holes. Quads are used to run trees when a truck can’t get in.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
When quads aren’t enough, you can use a helicopter ($) or a bombi. Bombi access is terribly difficult. I got really stuck. We quickly unloaded the trees to slow the sinking.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
No matter how hard you try you can’t dig one of these out.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
We used a skidder to pull out the bombi, we had some difficulties while unloading. We are using that railway tie to prevent the skidder from falling off the bed of the 5 ton truck. The tie is propped between the truck and skidder – I am reversing the white 1 ton to apply the required force. The skidder has a large winch with 1″ steel wire, the skidder is designed to drag trees out of the bush. We used it to pull the bombi out. On the first attempt the cable broke – scary recoil.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
Back on dry land to get more trees, then turn around and try not to get stuck in the swamp.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
Some tall poplars left behind after the clear cut. One day there will be a tree farm there.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
Dragonflies; a tree planters best friends
Tree Planting in Dubreuilville, ON, Canada | Bagging Up
No rain + High Temp = Fire Hours (4am to 12pm). Before sunrise, morning mist.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
One season I had a very unique co-worker; Sandy (67yrs old) had been planting for more than 3 decades.
Tree Planting in Nakina, ON, Canada
The forest fire in the background grew to 16,000ha, a lightning storm ignited it. The tree runner and myself reported it at 3am. This photo was taken at 10am. The cook is remaining calm while we are packing/evacuating. The fire swept through the campsite 9hrs later.
Tree Planting in Ogoki, ON, Canada
2005 was my last year in the bush. I worked 7 seasons total (planter 2yrs, crew boss 4 yrs, project manager 1 yr). It is my understanding that this whole industry in ON has gone up in smoke.