by Steve Selden | Jan 13, 2016 | Tour News
Mother and her cub on the tip of Eskimo Point. Moira Le Patourel photo.
When you think summer in Churchill you usually think beluga whales, tundra wildflowers and amazing numbers of migratory life – list birds. Polar bears are generally not on traveler’s radar though summer bear activity has become more of the norm these days. When I guided Churchill arctic summer trips, polar bear activity usually ramped up in August and it was always an incredible surprise when groups did see the king of the arctic in their natural habitat. These days expectations have grown and polar bears seem to surface or rather emerge from the Hudson Bay on a more regular basis and even in July. Although there’s no guarantee, the chances of venturing to Churchill and seeing polar bears in summer have grown dramatically. Churchill Arctic Summer can be an incredible jackpot of natural wonders!
Polar bear sow and cub in the Hudson Bay. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Curious polar bear checking out travelers. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Polar bear on the rocks in Churchill. Photo Rhonda Reid.
Polar bear on the rocks, Churchill,MB. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Older male polar bear. John Lehmann photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 20, 2015 | Tour News
This polar bear season was filled with unusual trends. Northern lights were more often visible in the evenings than not and the first seasonal use of Natural Habitat’s Aurora pod was an astounding success. Locating the pod was a little more difficult than northern lights season in January – March since polar bears are roaming during this time and safety is paramount for travelers to Churchill. The Aurora pod was finally located just on the outskirts of town near the ‘Welcome to Churchill’ sign just visible from the road. The winter location will be the same as last year out along the Hudson Bay coast above the rock quarry.
Photographing the northern lights at the Aurora Pod. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Another almost daily occurrence, out on the tundra near the Tundra lodge, and surrounding vicinity was polar bear sparring. Incredible images of this behavior flooded in throughout the season and we tried to post as many as possible. Because of the late freeze – up in the bay and southerly winds bears have been lingering along the coast and engaging in mock fights more often. Perhaps their anxiety as they await their frozen seal – hunting grounds is released with the behavior.
Polar bears engaged in sparring. Brad Josephs photo.
While polar bears await the return of the pack ice, hopefully aided by the latest gusts from the north, mother’s and cubs have been arriving in large numbers along the coast. they have been resting in the willows and have seemingly been guided by internal clocks and moved now to the coast. Unfortunately for them though fortunately for travelers, the ice is still not sufficient to hunt on. That could change quickly and many still believe a November freeze up will happen. until then enjoy the sights along the Hudson bay coast!
Mother and cub poar bear in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Brad Josephs photo.
Another frequency this season has been the sighting of smaller wildlife like red foxes and Arctic hares all around Churchill. And how can we forget the incredible image of the wolverine in a tree by Nat Hab guide Colby Brokvist. Amazing shot from a helicopter.
Brad Josephs getting up close with a red fox. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
wolverine in a spruce tree in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 16, 2015 | Tour News
Hudson Bay Quest dog eager to run. Laurie Dingwall photo.
This year’s Hudson Bay Quest will start in Churchill on Thursday March 17th (St. Patty’s Day) and finish in Gillam! Should be quite a celebration with some green beer at the start line. Come to Churchill and see the northern lights and the start of a great race!
1.) Dan DiMuzio
Kennel – Sleddog Energy
Churchill, MB
2.) Charlie Lundie
Kennel – Charlie’s Kennel
Churchill, MB
3.) David Daley
Kennel – Wapusk Adventures
Churchill, MB
4.) Justin Allen
Kennel – Wapusk Adventures
Churchill, MB
5.) Peter McClelland
Kennel – White Wilderness
Ely, MN, USA
6.) Shawn McCarty
Kennel – White Wilderness
Ely, MN, USA
7.) Jamie Nelson
Kennel – Rocky Glenn
Togo, MN, USA
8.) Craig Houghton
Kennel – Craig and Sean Racing Dogs
Fort St. James, BC
9.) Bruce Langmaid
Kennel – Cashman Creek Sleddogs
Kearney, ON
10.) Leanne Bergen
Kennel – Gone to the Dogs Racing
Sioux Lookout, ON
11.) Matt Groth
Kennel – Grand Marais Sled a Dog Adventures
Grand Marais, MN, USA
Welcome to the HBQ!
by Steve Selden | Nov 13, 2015 | Tour News
A polar bear waiting patiently for the hudson Bay to freeze. Michelle Viengkone photo.
by Michelle Viengkone
Some of us practice mindfulness, while others run free-throw drills or perfect our soufflés. Nonetheless, patience is required for the task at hand and if I may add, most generously so, towards ourselves.Polar bears could teach us some lessons.
Having spent time on the tundra, what continues to strike me most has been the patience that polar bears demonstrate when waiting for the ice to form. The bears that we are fortunate enough to observe are a part of the Western Hudson Bay sub-population. These bears are forced ashore during the summer months because the Hudson Bay undergoes seasonal ice break-up. By the time November strolls along, these polar bears have already been fasting for 5 months and it is not surprising that they can be more than a little “hangry”.
The male polar bear pictured waits patiently at the base of the spit in front of the Tundra Lodge watching the ice slowly build up. Restless, he may engage in some sparring with other males to pass the time. Swatting, pushing, and lunging are all in good fun on land. But it is also not uncommon to see bears lounging around within the willows or digging shallow beds along the coast awaiting their chance to take their first steps onto ice to catch their next meal. As the bears keep an eye on the Bay and forming sea ice, we as wildlife enthusiasts must be on the lookout for the bears; eyes peeled for a yellowish rock-like critter. This can be a challenging task as we bounce along on the rover with blowing snow impairing our line of sight. However, good things come to those who wait.
The sight of one’s first polar bear is magical. I have been lucky to witness these moments play out as travelers eyes light up with excitement peering from the rover. I have overheard the sing-song chatter remarking about the size and beauty of this iconic Arctic animal. I have given gentle reminders to pause the snapping of photos and have encouraged the simple act of watching the bear in that moment. Sometimes we rush through things – I know I have – paying little attention to the details, getting muddled or bogged down. Advice from one wildlife enthusiast to another: slow it down, and soak it in. Make like a polar bear and be patient, the Arctic may surprise you.
by Steve Selden | Nov 11, 2015 | Tour News
Natural Habitat Adventures guide Colby Brokvist has experienced quite the polar bear season so far in Churchill! One of his initial groups of travelers witnessed unbelievable sparring sessions on a sunny day close to the Tundra Lodge. The scene became even more intense when the three sparring male polar bears were interrupted by a smaller three year – old female approaching from first tower to the east. One of the males pushed her off into the willows where she laid down for a rest. After the sparring had cooled off she returned and checked out all the polar rovers in the area and gave thrills to all travelers aboard!
Sparring polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Colby Brokvist photo.
Another sparring session that same afternoon matched two huge male polar bears going at it for about 25 minutes. ” I’d thought they would be overheating by now!” Colby expressed to his travelers. Amazing how polar bears can expend so much energy in a time when they are trying to conserve in a big way. It just shows how important this ritual of mock fighting is to the species survival. This year has been filled with outrageous displays..more so then years past.
Polar bears wrestling in the willows. Natural habitat photo.
With a more recent group Colby and driver navigated the rover out to the Tundra Lodge after spotting a sow and her cub close to launch. The morning seemed “quiet” reported Colby so they decided to move inland a bit toward an esker to the east. Just below the esker back toward the Hudson Bay the group sighted another sow and her coy (cub of the year) on the flats with amazing views toward the bay and surrounding lowlands. What a way to spend the late morning..beats an office coffee break by far!
Sow and cub test the land fast ice of the Hudson Bay. Colby Brokvist photo.
Around lunch, camped in the same spot, patience paid off big time. An adolescent polar bear wandered up to the rover and investigated the rear deck of their polar rover. if one got any closer to a polar bear there would be teeth marks at best. The steel grated deck provides the needed protection here. Nearby a number of sleeping bears worked on conserving the energy spent in morning sparring sessions in the squared tundra.
Later on at Halfway Point the day concluded with a superb 15 minutes observing a rough – legged hawk hunt along the tundra. Not much more of a nature experience then that. All in all an incredible trip in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area!
wolverine in a spruce tree in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
One of the most exciting aspects of a trip to Churchill is a helicopter flight over the north land. This rare shot of a wolverine was captured by Colby as they flew over the boreal forest. Amazing! And for good measure a polar bear chugging through some land fast ice in the Hudson Bay!
Polar bear making his way through the slush ice of Hudson Bay. Colby Brokvist photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 10, 2015 | Tour News
Amazing experiences have come from this polar bear season in Churchill, Manitoba for Natural Habitat Adventures guide Moira Le Patourel! “I am thoroughly enjoying my third season in Churchill and have been absolutely thrilled with the sights that have come my way while guiding the six-day and seven-day Classic adventures this season. My guests and I have been lucky enough to enjoy encounters with snowy owls, arctic fox, red fox, arctic hare and LOTS of incredible views of polar bears (and polar boulders too!).” reported Le Patourel.
Magnifecent light over the tundra in Churchill. Moira Le Patourel photo.
“One of my favourite moments of the season thus far was a late-in-the-day sighting of a female polar bear. She was spotted laying beside a frozen pond, along our road home. We were able to sit with her for a while, as the sun began to set on the tundra and on this beautiful bear. At first it seemed like only one adult bear was laying down, until a small black nose and a pair of ears poked out from behind. Smiles shone all around our Rover as we realized that we had the privilege of being in the presence of a mother polar bear and her cub of the year. The light faded slowly and all too soon we had to head home, leaving the mother and cub behind; our Rover crew silent in communal contentment, and smiling, appreciating all things polar bear.” stated Le Patourel.
As we come down the stretch of another
incredible polar bear season in Churchill, excitement is overflowing from guides and travelers as well. Fresh perspectives from guides in Churchill enable us all to see the polar bear world with a clear mind and vision.
