by Steve Selden | Apr 27, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Arctic and Red foxes compete for territory in Churchill and many seasons we see both on the tundra around town and out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Often, alternating seasons of proliferation provides an abundance of one species or the other. More often than not, Arctic foxes are sighted with more regularity then red foxes in and around the Churchill region. Trapping and diseases such as rabies have limited the numbers in the past. Populations seem to rebound and both species can be seen and photographed throughout the year. Enjoy these images from Churchill!
Arctic fox on the Churchill tundra. Courtesy Natural Habitat Adventures.
Arctic fox sniffing the tundra for prey. Brad Josephs photo.
Red fox on the tundra. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Gorgeous red fox on the tundra. Colby Brokvist photo.
Arctic fox in gray morph phase. Paul Brown photo.
Red fox on the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
by Steve Selden | Apr 26, 2015 | Churchill Photography
This polar bear photo from Churchill Wildlife Management Area is a pair of sub-adult males sparring out on the tundra. Polar bears spar or mock fight in the fall prior to ice forming on the Hudson Bay. These confrontations are for the most part acknowledged by the polar bears as mutually beneficial. However sometimes the bouts get a little heated in the frigid north and a friendly training exercise draws some blood. Witnessing these incredible battles of polar bears truly is a once in a lifetime experience!
Polar bears squaring off on the tundra. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
by Steve Selden | Apr 22, 2015 | Churchill Photography
In honor of Earth Day churchillpolarbears.org is requesting submissions of your favorite polar bear or other Arctic wildlife photos.You can post or share to Churchill Polar Bears Facebook page. In addition we request that you also include a short description of the photo as well as an idea for conserving energy as a means to fight global warming. We will publish them on the site over the coming months and give photographer credit for all images. The challenge is to raise global warming awareness and the affects on polar bears. What a great way to celebrate Earth Day and take a pledge to make this Earth year with stimulating ideas on how to protect the planet!
Here are some of our favorite images from Churchill celebrating the pristine wild of the sub- Arctic region!
Polar bear on the Hudson Bay coast. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Polar bear cubs with mother by the coast of Hudson Bay. Kurt Johnson photo.
Polar bear greeting travelers. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Polar bear sow and cub out near Halfway Point. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Polar bear looking for a free lunch. Brad Josephs photo.
Early season photo of a sleepy polar bear. Paul Brown photo.
by Steve Selden | Apr 21, 2015 | Churchill Photography
These two images by Katie de Meulles in Churchill just this past week are really great shots of a pine grosbeak perched on a spruce in the boreal forest. The red, green and blue all make for a vibrant color scheme. The flight shot gives a sense of motion that is caught without much fuzziness in the image. Churchill has incredible bird-life as spring transcends to summer.
red poll perched on a spruce in the boreal forest. Katie de Meulles photo.
Red poll takes flight from a spruce in Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
by Steve Selden | Apr 19, 2015 | Churchill Photography
October and November, during polar bear season in Churchill, are the best months to see polar bears squaring off in mock fights. Churchillian’s know that nearly every month is polar bear season and really never let their guard down. During true polar bear season one of the main attractions is sparring usually by adult or sub-adult male polar bears preparing for the long winter on the Hudson Bay ice.
Polar bears sparring in the Churchill wildlife management Area. Brad Josephs photo.
When polar bears venture onto the ice in the Hudson Bay come late November they are prepared for potential confrontations with other bears over territory dominance of mating disputes. Sparring sessions in the Churchill wildlife Management Area and around the Hudson Bay Coast play an integral part in polar bear interactions and communication all year round. A dominance and respect is established through these fights and on the whole most bears know when to stop before serious injury is inflicted. There is also reason to believe the bears use the mock fights as a way to keep fit and alert for the long seal hunting season out on the pack ice.
The fight sessions are incredible to witness in person on the tundra in the Churchill wildlife Management Area.
Sparring bears captured up close with a telephoto lens. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bears sparring in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bears sparring in the willows. Kurt Johnson photo.
Two polar bears sparring near the tundra Lodge. Eric Rock photo.
by Steve Selden | Apr 14, 2015 | Churchill Photography
A majority of the travelers that come to Churchill view the incredible land and wildlife at tundra level on Polar Rovers or by foot. Polar bear season of course provides viewing from a raised vehicle through the Churchill wildlife management Area. In summer, hiking through the tundra and along the rocky coast provides a unique opportunity to get close to the land and see the micro ecosystems that are the roots of the Arctic and all that makes it such an incredible region.
The view and expanse of the land from a helicopter gives one a completely different perspective. The boreal forest stands alone from the wide open tundra and the Hudson Bay goes on forever to the north. I never tire of seeing the landmarks as well as the land from the air. Enjoy these photographs of the Churchill region!
Natural Habitat Tundra lodge. Steve Selden photo.
Port of Churchill on the Churchill River. Photo Steve Selden
Fort Prince of Wales on the West side of the Churchill River. Steve Selden photo.
Two polar bears near the coast in November. Karen Walker photo.
Polar bears along the Hudson Bay coast. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
A view through Churchill, to the port and north over the Hudson Bay. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
A closer look at the Churchill Rocket Range today. Steve Selden photo.
