Polar bear, two gulls and raven in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Sleepy polar bear on the Precambrian shield. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Three polar bears feast on a beluga whale carcass in Churchill while gulls await the scraps. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
A curious polar bear surveys the area from behind a rock outcrop. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
A large, healthy polar bear emerges from a nap in the rocks on the Hudson Bay shore. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
August in Churchill can be polar bear sighting time and this year seems to be setting the bar higher than ever. The polar bears photographed by Alex De Vries – Magnifico appear quite healthy and active. In fact, a big bear was spotted in the middle of Churchill just today. It seems that the polar bears are adapting to more ice-free days and finding alternative food sources. As you can see in one photo, a group of three polar bears graze on a beluga whale carcass adding to their fat storage and subsequent energy reserves that will allow them to make it through the fall while they wait for Hudson Bay ice to form. Summer bear sightings have increased almost every year and particularly in August, the buffer time before the Churchill polar bear season starts in October into November. Enjoy!
The Port of Churchill has been a symbol of uncertainty in Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
The uncertainty surrounding the Port of Churchill sale by owner Omnitrax from Colorado to a native alliance coupled with the natural destruction of the Hudson Bay Line has left Churchillians wondering the future of their town. This photo of the port captures the plight and the promise of the the time all in one image!
Reflection of a skiff in Button Bay, Churchill. Water clear and pristine. Katie de Meulles photo.
Polar bear swimming in the bay near Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
Close up of a polar bear swimming in the bay around Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
Polar bear resting on the rocks on Eskimo Point. Katie de Meulles photo.
Button Bay is the secluded little cove just around Eskimo Point where Fort Prince of Wales rests as the iconic outpost of the long-lost fur trade in the north. The rocks of Eskimo Point are resting areas for polar bears seeking some quiet and solitude during the summer months. Quite often groups of travelers can see and photograph polar bears on these rocky shores. These shots by Churchill photographer Katie de Meulles were captured this week and show the happenings around Button Bay.
This throwback video features the original Sea North Tours founder MIke Macri and his thoughts on the majestic beluga whales of the Churchill estuaries. Mike has since sold Sea North and is “gone fishin” after decades of running the best beluga whale watching outfit in Churchill. I’ve spent many summers with Mike and his family and they are truly missed in the Churchill community. However, thousands of belugas are still returning to Churchill every summer and after interpreting their sounds via a hydrophone, they all miss Mike and the family as well!
Polar bear stats for the week of August 7-13th. One polar bear in PBHF. Town of Churchill image.
Polar bear activity in and around Churchill has been light due to the continued warm weather keeping the polar bears close to the Hudson Bay. While bear numbers have remained fairly consistent over the past few weeks only one polar bear has been incarcerated in the holding facility. We expect that stat to increase as the summer begin to wane and polar bear season approaches. These recent photos of polar bears enjoying the Churchill summer indicate a good seal hunting season out on the pack ice. The presence of a healthy wolf on the tundra also indicates the wildlife ecosystem in the Churchill region is healthy.
The presence of a healthy wolf on the tundra also indicates the wildlife ecosystem in the Churchill region is healthy. We have been seeing all kind of wildlife species this summer with numerous bears, belugas, red fox, caribou and wolves. Bird numbers have also been extremely good and everyone is excited about the 2017 polar bear season just a couple of months away. Stay posted for all the updates and news from the Polar Bear Capital of the World!
A lone gray wolf roaming the Churchill tundra. Don Walkoski photo.
polar bear swimming in the Hudson Bay on a magical Churchill summer afternoon. Don Walkoski photo.
Polar bear family roaming the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Dorota Walkoski photo.
