by Steve Selden | Feb 17, 2016 | Churchill News
Port of Churchill grain shipping operation on the Churchill River. Port of Churchill photo.
Canadian Prairie farmers from Manitoba and Saskatchewan have decided to press for the reestablishment of a the Canadian Wheat board, a single-desk system for marketing their grain to various world markets.
Over 50 farmers from the Pelly and Swan River areas of Saskatchewan and Manitoba met last week and passed a unanimous resolution requesting the re-establishment of the Canadian Wheat Board according to the Canadian Wheat Board Alliance.
The group says the loss of the Coordinating core board has lead to an increasingly disorganized, hap – hazard rail system, inconsistent grain quality guarantees for other nations and an $6.5 billion overall income loss for farmers over the past two years.
For more than 70 years, prairie farmers were forced to sell their grains to the CWB, which then would export it to foreign markets.Former agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz passed legislation ending the Canadian Wheat Board in 2012, and last year half of its assets were ultimately sold off to Saudi-owned G-3 Global Grain Group.
Ritz at the time had this to say: “Overall, logistics have been good,” said Ritz. “We’re seeing market share in premium markets going up. We’ve had no problem at all when we’re talking free trade agreements with other countries, they welcome the opportunity to buy more Canadian wheat. Apparently things are not going as planned.
However, with he Port of Churchill under consideration for purchase by a native group in Canada from current owner Omnitrax, this possible “renewed” direction could bode well for more consistent shipping from the Arctic port.
by Steve Selden | Feb 10, 2016 | Churchill News
Churchill in summertime is a magical sub – Arctic paradise! Three short or long months, depending on how you look at it, pack in a vast and diverse pallet of nature. The tundra and Hudson Bay come alive as tributary rivers ignite with life and small boats of eager travelers seeking the vibe of the beluga whale pods. The “Arctic Riviera” is shelter for belugas to nurture young, molt their old skin or just enjoy the “warm” waters of the southern Hudson Bay.
Beluga whale underwater in th Churchill River. Alex De Vries -Magnifico photo.
As a guide returning to Churchill each year, I was drawn naturally like a migrating animal and the annual sojourn just became instinctual. Each spring I would start to feel the pull of belugas out on the Churchill River and Hudson Bay. After trolling among the pods, kayaking and snorkeling on a daily basis for over 10 years, the feeling takes root in one’s psyche. The draw to migrate for whatever reason is real. The belugas are the main attraction here for sure!
Although belugas, birds and sometimes polar bears are the main draw for the summer season, there are some lesser known features or entities in and around Churchill that have been hidden jewels over the years. Here are some that I really was drawn to.
- -Boreal Chorus Frog – One of the jewels of the north and so much fun to search for around the edges of an Arctic pond.
2.- Jellyfish– There are a number of jellyfish that thrive in the cold water of the north. On clear water days the sight of them suspended around beluga whales is ethereal.
Aurelia, a jellyfish found in the Churchill River. G. Young, Photo copyright.
3. Sandhill Cranes – Over the years these birds are usually spotted along the railroad tracks where grain drops from rail cars.
Two Sandhill cranes mixed in with Canada geese in Churchill. Rhonda Reid photo.
4.- Orca whales – A rare sight indeed in the Churchill area. Though, over the last few years they have been seen more often.
Orca’s in the Hudson Bay. Dwight Allen photo.
5. – Pack Ice on the Hudson Bay– If you visit Churchill early enough in the Spring there’s a good chance there will still be some pack-ice in the bay and even in the Churchill River. The ice draws wildlife to it such as bears, whales and birds.
6.- Polar Bear Seal kill – The shorter ice season has produced more seal kills in both summer and fall. These kills will often draw up to 10 polar bears to the scene. This is a kill from later in the polar bear season.
Polar bear and ravens scavenge a seal kill carcass in Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Brad Josephs photo.
7. – Ross’s Gull – A true incredible check on the life-list if this beautiful bird unveils itself along the Churchill River. Another fun treasure hunt!
Ross’ gull along the gravelly shore. Brian Small photo.
8. Orchids – One wouldn’t think these delicate plants could survive the harsh Arctic weather though these flowers are opportunistic and make the most of their northern environment.
Round – leaved orchid in Churchill. Steve Selden photo.
by Steve Selden | Jan 30, 2016 | Churchill News
Raw, a dining experience under the northern lights comes to Churchill this March. Parcs Canada photo.
The RAW mystery continues.Keep checking back to see what culinary experience takes place in Churchill’s northern lights season this March!
by Steve Selden | Jan 25, 2016 | Churchill News
Some amazing northern lights photographs from 2015 in Churchill. This year we are hoping for an even more phenomenal portfolio of shots from travelers and accomplished Natural Habitat Adventures guides. Polar bear season surprised us all with beluga whales still in the Hudson Bay come October. Let’s see what northern lights season greets us with. It’s always an adventure in Churchill!
A Natural Habitat Adventures group after an amazing trip to Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Northern lights above Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Northern lights above the confines of the boreal forest in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Aurora Pod in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Natural Habitat’s Aurora Pod
by Steve Selden | Jan 20, 2016 | Churchill News
One of the most majestic Arctic animals that rivals the mighty polar bear as king of the Arctic is the muskoxen.
Rolf Steinmann, a German cameraman, has directed In Between, which unveils the sights and sounds of the muskoxen and its unforgiving natural habitat in the far north.
Commitment, patience and hard work combined to produce an amazing look into the isolated life of the muskox. Weeks and even months at a time were spent filming segments of the movie. The majority of the on-site locations were in uninhabited regions of the north where only beings able to cope with the harsh cold conditions have the ability to exist. “By spending lots of time in the field I try to immerse deeply into the animal’s world,” he writes on his website.
Muskoxen are the undisputed king ( move over polar bears) of some of these enchanting yet grueling regions!
In Between from Rolf Steinmann on Vimeo.
by Steve Selden | Jan 5, 2016 | Churchill News
Churchill has four seasons that all seemingly blend into one. There are distinctions between the seasons, mostly temperature to a certain “degree” (see what I did there), as well as different wildlife viewing opportunities. Fantastic northern lights are more visible during the heart of winter though can be seen in fall and even summer with the right conditions. Beluga whales and certain migratory birds prevail only in summer although this past ‘fall’ the whales opted to stick around for awhile during the onset of polar bear season.
With all these amazing sights in Churchill there has been more overlapping of viewing possibilities over the past decade. Polar bears are arriving on land earlier and in greater numbers throughout the summer, a likely repercussion of global warming. This year in particular polar behavior has changed and we are seeing more scavenging in the form of seal – kills and other foraging on the tundra. Adaptation right before our eyes?
Whales, bears, birds, northern lights or beautiful tundra can be seen throughout the year in Churchill. Come see what this amazing region of the sub – Arctic can tantalize you with in any season!
Permafrost contains tons of carbon. Ed Bouvier photo.
Northern lights with Churchill in the background. Katie de Meulles photo.
Churchill sled dog. Brad Josephs photo.
Beluga up close and personal with snorkelers in the Churchill River. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Polar bear curious of camera on polar rover. Natural Habitat photo.
Polar bear in the fireweed in Churchill. Dennis Fast photo.
