Now that the polar bears have headed out onto the ice-pack of the Hudson Bay, here are some parting shots from this polar bear season by Natural Habitatguides. This was one of the best seasons in a long time with numerous sows and cubs, sparring males and Arctic fox galore. Many other various sightings of wildlife as well as some true Arctic weather made this a very memorable season. Up next…aurora borealis trips at the end of January and going through most of March. Can’t wait for the images of northern lights!
Two polar bears sparring in Churchill, Manitoba. Melissa Scott photo.
Aurora in the northern Churchill sky. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear resting in a snowbank. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bear sniffing around the polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear print in the snow. Karen Walker photo.
Polar bears grapple in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bear season 2014 has come to a close in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area as well as the Churchill town vicinity. Polar bears in the area have headed out on the Hudson Bay ice pack in search of seals to forage. Although the last travelers to Churchill have had sparse bear sightings at best, the situation for the bears is ideal.
Polar bears grapple in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Overall this season has been extraordinary when it comes to the health of the polar bears and the number of sows and cubs in the area. The weather has been very fitting for the bears and the early freeze-up has enabled the polar bears to get out on the ice and start building their fat reserves back up.
Polar bear taking roll call at a polar rover.
Here’s the link to the Conservation numbers of polar bear occurrences, fly-outs, in the compound, and releases throughout the season.
Hudson Bay ice floes collide and pack in tight. Karen Walker photo.
Here’s what a note on the Conservation Manitoba door read: “Bears were observed passing by Churchill on the ice on November 12th. Started ice release on November 14th. Completed ice release on November 16th. Most bears are now on the ice on Hudson Bay.”
Jeremy Pearson photo.
A truly memorable season is over ….looking forward to this winters’ aurora trips!
Check out this video of a mother polar bear and her cubs in Churchill, Manitoba a year ago. Natural Habitat will be wrapping up the season in a week as the bears head out onto the Hudson Bay ice. Some sows and cubs are still appearing on their way out to the seal hunting grounds.
Roaming polar bear on the tundra. Melissa Scott photo.
Polar bear season is coming to a close but the superb photos keep arriving from Natural Habitat guides in Churchill, Manitoba. These four pictures from longtime guide Melissa Scott represent an amazing season that started fast and has continued strong. The Hudson Bay is starting to freeze up and polar bears are testing the ice. In another two weeks most bears will be on the ice hunting seals and the aurora borealis season will start in Churchill. If it’s anything like this fall polar bear season, it will be a great one!
Sparring polar bears in Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Melissa Scott photo.
Polar bear in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Melissa Scott photo.
Polar bears emerging from the willows in the CWMA. Melissa Scott photo.
