How we met
(Excerpt below is from the Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Country Register - Spring 2007)
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The wildlife photo gallery in Mortlach, Saskatchewan, emerged from the unexpected meeting of Sharie Kindrachuk (now Krughoff) and Canadian Wildlife photographer David Krughoff.
In the fall of 2004, Sharie was working at the Legislative Building in Regina and was coordinating their United Way fund raiser. She contacted David to see if he might contribute one of his limited-edition wildlife prints to the United Way Silent Auction.
When David delivered his photo to the Legislative Building, Sharie met him at the security check-point and they ended up talking for about 20 minutes. They stayed in touch through emails. And then, well..... isn't love grand!
In May of 2005, David was asked to photograph Saskatchewan's heroic effort of hand rearing endangered Piping Plovers. This was in response to the extreme flooding along the South Saskatchewan River. The effort was made by countless volunteers and staff from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority as well as folks from Canadian Wildlife Services. David stayed with the project until the fledglings headed south for the winter. First he rented a room in Elbow close to the facility at the Diefenbaker Dam where the Piping plover eggs were being incubated. Later a machine shed at the Dam was used to house brooder boxes where the chicks were hand-fed 6 times a day.
In the meantime flight cages were being built at Chaplin Lake where the hand-reared fledglings could gain confidence before being released into the wild. This is when David moved to the hotel in Mortlach. Sharie visited on weekends as David continued to record the progress of the Piping Plovers at Chaplin Lake. They enjoyed life in this small Saskatchewan village.
Sharie and David purchased the 100-year-old Hamilton Bank Building from the Village in late 2005. After a year of renovations they have opened their home-based gallery featuring David's images of wildlife. It is a magical place where one can see a black bear caring for her new-born cubs, a proud Woodchuck with her young or a fleeting image of a cougar as he darts through a clearing.
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In late 2009, a spinal injury David suffered decades before made field work difficult. Sharie began helping him work from their outrigger canoe. Before long Sharie had purchased a camera. Her love for photography and the wilderness was rekindled. Difficulties are often blessings in disguise!
David and Sharie's wildlife gallery in Mortlach was closed in 2011. This enables them to spend more time working together in the wilderness.
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The wildlife photo gallery in Mortlach, Saskatchewan, emerged from the unexpected meeting of Sharie Kindrachuk (now Krughoff) and Canadian Wildlife photographer David Krughoff.
In the fall of 2004, Sharie was working at the Legislative Building in Regina and was coordinating their United Way fund raiser. She contacted David to see if he might contribute one of his limited-edition wildlife prints to the United Way Silent Auction.
When David delivered his photo to the Legislative Building, Sharie met him at the security check-point and they ended up talking for about 20 minutes. They stayed in touch through emails. And then, well..... isn't love grand!
In May of 2005, David was asked to photograph Saskatchewan's heroic effort of hand rearing endangered Piping Plovers. This was in response to the extreme flooding along the South Saskatchewan River. The effort was made by countless volunteers and staff from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority as well as folks from Canadian Wildlife Services. David stayed with the project until the fledglings headed south for the winter. First he rented a room in Elbow close to the facility at the Diefenbaker Dam where the Piping plover eggs were being incubated. Later a machine shed at the Dam was used to house brooder boxes where the chicks were hand-fed 6 times a day.
In the meantime flight cages were being built at Chaplin Lake where the hand-reared fledglings could gain confidence before being released into the wild. This is when David moved to the hotel in Mortlach. Sharie visited on weekends as David continued to record the progress of the Piping Plovers at Chaplin Lake. They enjoyed life in this small Saskatchewan village.
Sharie and David purchased the 100-year-old Hamilton Bank Building from the Village in late 2005. After a year of renovations they have opened their home-based gallery featuring David's images of wildlife. It is a magical place where one can see a black bear caring for her new-born cubs, a proud Woodchuck with her young or a fleeting image of a cougar as he darts through a clearing.
____________
In late 2009, a spinal injury David suffered decades before made field work difficult. Sharie began helping him work from their outrigger canoe. Before long Sharie had purchased a camera. Her love for photography and the wilderness was rekindled. Difficulties are often blessings in disguise!
David and Sharie's wildlife gallery in Mortlach was closed in 2011. This enables them to spend more time working together in the wilderness.
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A glimpse through Sharie’s viewfinder
Maybe sharing some of my journey can help others claim their hopes and dreams. In 2000 at the age of 45, I suffered a stroke. This happened while a surgeon placed a clip on an aneurism deep in my brain. Four months were spent in Wascana rehab. Learning to walk again was a milestone. Outpatient therapy continued for about a year.
David and I met in late in 2004. He’d worked as wildlife photographer for many years. We share the same love of nature. From our first meeting our greatest joy was exploring Saskatchewan in his Jeep TJ.
Acquired brain injuries are poorly understood. Some of my senses are more acute while other abilities are gone forever. We discovered that I can spot wildlife, often at great distances. I became “the spotter”. It was a fine job that I’m still happy with. Yet something was missing. I love photography. In the late 70s I joined the Regina Photo Club.
Beginning in 2009 an old spinal injury stopped David from working in the field. In 2011 we discovered the work could continue if we combined our abilities. We worked mostly from our canoe that year.
It was impossible for me to use David’s heavy cameras and large telephoto lenses. To this day, limited use of my left hand persists. We began to research new camera systems. New designs had been developed by Nikon, Canon and other quality names. A camera that could be operated with one hand was essential.
The Nikon P510 with an optical zoom of 24 to1000mm was a perfect fit. The motorized zoom could be operated with the forefinger of my right hand. Exposure compensation, ISO, shutter speed… everything could be done with my right hand! The addition of a trigger operated mono-pod completed the package.
Now comes the test. Can I do it? I’m breathless. Tears come to my eyes. I have a chance once again, to capture images of rare moments in life. David guided me patiently.
Relearning things with my injury takes time. I often became scared and discouraged. Practice included reinforcement at home, photographing curios on shelves in our loft.
We spent spring, summer and fall of 2012 living in our Little Guy trailer (a bed on wheels). We set up camp in Buffalo Pound Park when there was still snow on the ground. Ring-billed gulls were playing on the boat ramp. David said, “perfect subjects.” He called out the camera settings, but I’m all thumbs.
Then David left me on my own. Before leaving he said, “Remember, this is a digital camera, shoot, shoot, shoot. I want you to wear out that shutter!”
A few months later my photograph of a male tree swallow appeared on the cover of Prairies North Magazine. Imagine my surprise and joy when Lionel and Michelle made this choice. A deeper sense of determination and commitment settled into my heart.
David and I closed our photo gallery and have worked together ever since. Currently we are writing books for children. This has been a journey of rebirth; a second chance at life.
David and I met in late in 2004. He’d worked as wildlife photographer for many years. We share the same love of nature. From our first meeting our greatest joy was exploring Saskatchewan in his Jeep TJ.
Acquired brain injuries are poorly understood. Some of my senses are more acute while other abilities are gone forever. We discovered that I can spot wildlife, often at great distances. I became “the spotter”. It was a fine job that I’m still happy with. Yet something was missing. I love photography. In the late 70s I joined the Regina Photo Club.
Beginning in 2009 an old spinal injury stopped David from working in the field. In 2011 we discovered the work could continue if we combined our abilities. We worked mostly from our canoe that year.
It was impossible for me to use David’s heavy cameras and large telephoto lenses. To this day, limited use of my left hand persists. We began to research new camera systems. New designs had been developed by Nikon, Canon and other quality names. A camera that could be operated with one hand was essential.
The Nikon P510 with an optical zoom of 24 to1000mm was a perfect fit. The motorized zoom could be operated with the forefinger of my right hand. Exposure compensation, ISO, shutter speed… everything could be done with my right hand! The addition of a trigger operated mono-pod completed the package.
Now comes the test. Can I do it? I’m breathless. Tears come to my eyes. I have a chance once again, to capture images of rare moments in life. David guided me patiently.
Relearning things with my injury takes time. I often became scared and discouraged. Practice included reinforcement at home, photographing curios on shelves in our loft.
We spent spring, summer and fall of 2012 living in our Little Guy trailer (a bed on wheels). We set up camp in Buffalo Pound Park when there was still snow on the ground. Ring-billed gulls were playing on the boat ramp. David said, “perfect subjects.” He called out the camera settings, but I’m all thumbs.
Then David left me on my own. Before leaving he said, “Remember, this is a digital camera, shoot, shoot, shoot. I want you to wear out that shutter!”
A few months later my photograph of a male tree swallow appeared on the cover of Prairies North Magazine. Imagine my surprise and joy when Lionel and Michelle made this choice. A deeper sense of determination and commitment settled into my heart.
David and I closed our photo gallery and have worked together ever since. Currently we are writing books for children. This has been a journey of rebirth; a second chance at life.
