Churchill photographer Alex De Vries – Magnifico recently had these images selected by Manitoba Travel for promotion of the provincial tourism initiative. These incredible northern lights shots have been featured before by churchillpolarbears.org though a second showing never hurts One of the most prolific aurora borealis seasons in recent history produced numerous magical photos of the northern lights. These are surely a few of the best. Enjoy!
Northern lights over the boreal forest in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Spectacular northern lights above Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Tee – pee at Wapusk Adventures in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Enjoying the fire inside the tee – pee at Wapusk Adventures in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
During my decade – long tenure of guiding Churchill Arctic summer trips for Natural Habitat Adventures I didn’t see more than a dozen beluga whale faces out of the water. This unique shot was a lucky day out on the water when the whale gods were smiling down and I had my camera ready at just the right moment. It’s the closest I ever came to seeing a breach which rarely ever occurs in the beluga population. The moment is preserved for me to remember what love I have for the gregarious beluga whales of Churchill. I hope to get back soon to see the thousands of whales in the Churchill River estuary!
A beluga whale emerges from the water as it follows our zodiac. Steve Selden photo.
Alex De Vries – Magnifico took these cool photos of icy pressure ridges and the northern lights in Churchill. Just when we thought we had seen the most epic combinations of northern lights and various features on the ground, these shots magically juxtapose the packed ice and snow with the aurora in the Arctic sky. The season continues to shine on. Enjoy!
Another action – packed Churchill Arctic Summer season is coming and we’re getting excited about the incredible experiences ahead for Natural Habitat Adventures travelers.Within another couple of months the Churchill River, to the right in this Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo, will be filled with over a thousand beluga whales. Travelers from all over the world will board zodiacs and tour boats to view the whales up – close and personal. Tundra wildflowers and migratory birds will inspire as will the lucky chance to see an early – arriving polar bear in the rocks on the beach or out in the willows. Churchill Arctic Summer is full of treasures waiting to be discovered all across the tundra and taiga!
Awesome video footage of a voracious polar bear attempting to snag a beluga whale in a open lead in the ice of the Arctic. Exciting footage and evidence that polar bears will go after any creature to provide the sustenance for their high metabolism. Adaptation will be the key for these hearty animals as the Arctic ice dwindles even more due to global warming. Polar bears depend on the ice platform to hunt seals through the winter and with less ice time they must turn to protein – rich alternatives.
