Natural Habitat Adventures guide Elise and her group of travelers had a “great day out on the tundra” as the fierce winds of the past few days subsided. Polar bears came out to play around the Tundra Lodge, sparring all around the area and then resting at the peninsula to the north.
Later on Polar bears were leaning on their rover drivers door, peering up under the grate and circling the vehicle multiple times. Exciting action all around the land.
Hopefully this bear activity is a good omen for the rest of the season in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. A rough – legged hawk hovering overhead, leading the group back to launch was a awesome way to finish up a day on the northern tundra.
Polar bears sparring near the Tundra Lodge. Elise Lockton photo.
Polar bear near the polar rover. Elise Lockton photo.
Polar bear approaching the polar rover. Elise Lockton photo.
Natural Habitat Guide Colby and travelers enjoyed incredible happenings to start the season. “We deemed it the “quadfecta”, almost unheard of, consisting of the very best aurora show I’ve ever seen, close-up bear encounters, a polar bear lift, and even Beluga whales still lingering in the Churchill River estuary.” stated Colby. Three of those occurrences are rarities for sure.
Additionally, numerous snowy owls, arctic hare, incredible dog sledding, and intriguing cultural programs in Churchill made this a trip to remember. “Certainly one of the best early season trips I’ve ever had,” added Colby. With the weather being changeable right now, polar bear action varies greatly from day to day. Plenty of patience paid off time and time again. More exciting action to come!
Polar bear emerging from the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Snowy owl on the rocks in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
Arctic Hare in the rocks. Colby Brokvist photo.
Northern lights at the Tundra lodge. Drew Hamilton photo.
Natural Habitat group spying beluga whales in the Churchill River. Drew Hamilton photo.
Churchill Photographer Alex De Vries – Magnifico captured these beautiful polar bear shots just recently. The fall colors of the vibrant tundra are especially rich this year. Polar bear season is coming quick and many bears are already gathering around Churchill. Recent counts confirmed 12 polar bears being held in the holding facility. This season should be an active one with high numbers of polar bears across the tundra!
Polar bear in the last days of fall in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Polar bear on the coast in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Curious polar bear along the coast in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures guide Moira LePatourel and her last group of travelers in Churchill’s Arctic summer had a full compliment northern phenomenon. “We had the full sub-arctic experience on our final trip” Le Patourel stated. Two nights of aurora viewing and the first arctic fox sighting of the season gave this trip a unique personality shared by a very excited group of travelers. Northern lights become prevalent late at night in August and it’s always a thrill when groups see them in summer. Memories that will burn forever!
Natural Habitat Group in Churchill. Moira LePatourel photo.
The group also had the fortune to spot and observe four polar bears over the week. One polar bear was swimming in the Hudson Bay and another resting peacefully on the smooth, rocky Precambrian shield. Another mom and her cub were seen over in Button Bay lounging on the beach getting suntans.
Polar bear mom and cub on the beach at Button Bay. Moira LePatourel photo.
Polar bears resting on the beach. Moira LePatourel photo.
An incredible bounty of belugas crowded the Hudson Bay and Churchill River all week as the last stage of summer plays itself out. “We also got to hear the cello being played on the explore.org research boat and saw the whales come swimming over in response to musician Rob’s music. All that and the sun shining for most of our trip too! Couldn’t have asked for a better finale.” expressed LePatourel.
Belugas in the Churchill River. Moira LePatourel photo.
Churchill’s Arctic summer season for Natural Habitat Adventures groups has been incredibly exciting so far. Aside from the bountiful array of beluga whales in the Churchill River and Hudson Bay, there’s been some polar bear action out on Eskimo point just north of Fort Prince of Wales. This peninsula of land juts into the bay and the isostatic rebound over the years has caused the land to emerge from the water and grow in size.
Male polar bear holding his position on Eskimo Point. Moira Le Patourel photo.
The “point” has also become traditional resting spot for polar bears in the summer months and quite often mother’s and cubs are found there. Because it is somewhat isolated from the town, it may attract bears hoping to nab a seal or beluga whale venturing too close to shore. I have seen bears swimming across from Cape merry over the years and a couple of times we were able to approach them fairly closely in zodiacs.
Male polar bear on Eskimo Point. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Natural Habitat guide Moira Le Patourel and her group of travelers spotted three polar bears in this area just a few days ago. These were the first such sightings of this incredible Arctic summer campaign. The first healthy adult male polar bear was seen from Cape Merry with a spotting scope looking across to Eskimo Point. A little later the group was able to get up close in zodiacs during a whale watching excursion. What a way to see two of the largest animals in the Arctic at the same time.
Mother and her cub on the tip of Eskimo Point. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Continuing out into the crystal clear waters of the Hudson Bay, the group came to the tip of the point and was surprised by a mom and cub nestled in the rocks and enjoying a beautiful day in the north. Travelers were ecstatic with their fortune!
Travelers on this trip took advantage of the fantastic water clarity and engaged in some snorkeling with belugas in the Churchill River and kayaking with the whales as well. One tandem kayak had the incredible thrill of getting “fluked” as a beluga slapped the water with his tail as he submerged for a dive. Water cascaded over the travelers and their boats.
The icing on the was documenting 31 various bird species over the course of the trip. Highlights were a short-eared owl, northern goshawk, pacific loons and young, tundra swans and cygnets and an Arctic tern chick.
Sunset from the beach in Churchill. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Fireweed is beginning to bloom across the tundra and white mountain avens are fast disappearing…summer is already half over in Churchill!
This polar bear documentary examines the life of a polar bear in all the seasons of the year. a very interesting look at the “ice bear’s” life cycle. Hunting is a polar bear’s survival mode. This video shows the main facets of the polar bear’s hunting skills. Polar bears are opportunistic and the voracious bears that surround Churchill in October and November use all their assets to find food. These resources are shifting somewhat as sea ice shrinks and the season for hunting on the ice becomes shorter. Take a look at this intriguing look into ho
