The northern lights keep blazing in the Churchill – Hudson Bay region. These two shots by Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton at the Aurora Domes outside of Churchill are an indication that this season’s array of amazing northern lights is not letting up anytime soon. Let’s keep it going right up to the Hudson Bay Quest on March 17th. Enjoy!
Northern lights above the Aurora Domes. Drew Hamilton photo.
Northern lights in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
After a solid week of stellar northern lights, Natural Habitat Adventure guides Justin and Alex were playing the waiting game for the reappearance of aurora in the Churchill sky. While the images including northern lights have been just phenomenal, these shots are just as impressive without the feature. Churchill in the winter is such a beautiful place and there are always opportunities for exquisite photographs like these!
Beaytifully composed shot at the Wapusk Adventures dog yard. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Igloo with the boral forest in the distance. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Igloo with faint northern lights. Justin Gibson photo.
This short documentary about Churchill gives some perspective of the town through the eyes of local residents and the Churchill Mayor Mike Spence. It’s a rare candid view on what life is like in the polar bear capital of the world. This footage is from 2009 though in my experience things stay pretty consistent in the town. Not a lot changes over the years. It is quite a fascinating town. Enjoy the Churchillian perspective!
Learning how to build igloos on a Natural Habitat Adventures northern lights trip is a side benefit of viewing some incredible aurora borealis over the course of he week. At least that’s what transpired with guide Justin Gibson’s group in Churchill. With phenomenal consistent northern lights in the chilly Arctic sky, the daytime activities have been even more intriguing and educational for the travelers in the group. The cold seems just part of the experience of living in the sub – Arctic when thrills continue to come in the night sky.
This clip of Justin’s group constructing their first igloo is pretty cool. We’ve added another authentic Inuit tutorial for you to compare and judge how well the group did. Both videos are very fun to watch.
Natural Habitat Adventures guide Justin Gibson was busy keeping his avid travelers active this past week with various northern activities. With the frigid temperatures continuing in the north, if one doesn’t stay focused and active it can allow the mind to become obsessed with the cold. Mind over matter absolutely wins in these conditions. Coming from the northeast and living through so many long, cold winters, I have realized people everywhere allow themselves to complain about cold no matter what the thresh-hold is. The beauty of Churchill and the sub – Arctic can ease the mind from these stresses. The magical northern lights are a big incentive to stay positive in the far north!
These images from guide Justin Gibson really portray the harsh conditions that make the Arctic both endearing and forbidding in allure. Enjoy!
The swirl of northern lights in Churchill. Justin Gibson photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures group photographing an inukshuk in Arctic cold. Justin Gibson photo.
A truly Arctic image from Churchill. Justin Gibson photo.
Igloo building in Churchill. Justin Gibson photo.
International Polar Bear Day is February 27th and Polar Bears International (PBI) is once again bringing to light various ways we can all contribute to protecting this iconic species as well as fight against global warming trends affecting polar bears in their Arctic habitat. One initiative you can take is signing PBI’s petition asking Congress and the White House to set fair prices for carbon and thus accelerating the transition to utilize renewable energy sources.
Each year in October and November, travelers make the journey to Churchill, Manitoba with Natural Habitat Adventures to see the world’s greatest concentration of polar bears, which congregate as they wait for the sea ice to freeze on Hudson Bay. Nat Hab partners with World Wildlife fund (WWF) to educate people about polar bears and climate change through a unique partnership—Nat Hab’s Polar Bear Expedition Leaders, who have been guiding bear tours for an average of more than 10 years each, receive training and resources from WWF’s top scientists, ensuring the best interpretive experience available.
Here are some of the top polar bear photos from this past season in Churchill to inspire everyone to contribute to the ongoing fight for their survival!
Polar bears in the snow in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Katie de Meulles.
Polar bear playing peek-a-boo with a Polar Rover. Photo by Nat Hab guide Justin Gibson.
A curious bear says hello to guests. Photo by Nat Hab guide Brad Josephs.
Polar bears in the sun. Photo by Natural Habitat Adventures.
Polar bear sow and cub in the willows in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Nat Hab guide Brad Josephs.
Curious polar bear greets travelers. Photo by Nat Hab guide Brad Josephs.
Polar bear on a polar rover. Photo by Nat Hab guide Brad Josephs.
Polar bear parting shot. Photo by Nat Hab staff Alex De Vries-Magnifico.
