John Lehmann from the Globe and Mail recently took a trip to Churchill to photograph the polar bears. At a remote lodge along the Seal River he was guided to some areas where polar bears tend to frequent in the summer. Patiently waiting for the bears to arrive he was able to get some incredible photographs of the bears as they bide time and wait for the ice season to arrive in November. While posting many polar bear images on the blog it still fascinates me when new perspectives of the animals are captured. These are some fresh shots of these stoic animals!
Mother and cub in the tidal plains. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear feeding on a beluga whale carcass in the Hudson Bay. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear sow and cub swimming in the Hudson Bay. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear “elder” in the Churchill wild. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear on the tundra of Churchill. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear meandering along the rocks lining the Hudson Bay. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear in the wilds of Churchill. John Lehmann photo.
Fortunately the “last ice” region we are discussing is being used in a manner of symbolism. The area of interest is above Canada’s High Arctic Islands and northwest Greenland. National Geographic Society and World Wildlife Fund-Canada are on a mission to protect the Arctic.
Since the late 1970s when satellite monitoring was instituted, Arctic summer sea ice extent has been shrinking at a rate of about 12 per cent per decade, according to both organizations in an August news release.
Polar bear on sea ice in the high Arctic. Natural Habitat Photo.
The two organizations have teamed up to increase attention and awareness of — the “Last Ice Area” — the region climate scientists project summer sea ice to last the longest.
Recognizing the ‘Last Ice Area’ and the need to protect it for ice-dependent species and northern communities has been a top priority of our Arctic work for several years,” said WWF-Canada President and CEO David Miller. “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help steer the public eye northward to this important region.”
The National Geographic Pristine Seas project will include partner WWF-Canada to bring attention to the threats facing the summer sea ice and document “how the Inuit culture is connected to the area and its extraordinary wildlife.”
The “last ice area” near Greenland. Jane George photo.
“Highlighting the ‘Last Ice Area’ and the need to protect it for ice-dependent species and northern communities has been a top priority of our Arctic work for several years,” said WWF-Canada President and CEO David Miller. “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help steer the public eye northward to this important region.”
The Pristine Seas project by National Geographic will partner with WWF-Canada to spread awareness of the threats of shrinking summer sea ice areas. The connection between the inuit culture of the north and the extraordinary wildlife will be the primary focus.
“We came close to Arctic wildlife and filmed them like never before while also documenting the last traditional hunting by the Inuit,” said National Geographic’s Enric Sala about a recent trip to northern Baffin Island.
Local Churchill photographer and guide Alex De Vries – Magnifico took these photos of beluga whales on his last snorkeling trip of the summer season. The belugas were very curious and friendly and Alex believed they were coming to say goodbye. These creatures are incredibly intuitive and having spent a decade of Churchill Arctic summers with them, I am sure they truly connect with humans.
Beluga whales in the Churchill River. Alex De Vries – Magnifico.
Beluga whales in the Churchill River. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Beluga up close and personal with snorkelers in the Churchill River. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Beluga whale with pectoral fin visible in Churchill River. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
This Joshua Holko video captures the frozen beauty of the Arctic. Solitude and quietness prevail in this last bastion of unexplored territory on the planet. Many of the animals portrayed in the film can be found in the Churchill region during October and November. Enjoy!
