The northern lights have been shining brightly recently in Churchill. As we are roughly two-thirds through the aurora season, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase a few shots taken of vibrant northern lights in Churchill! We welcome your photos from Churchill anytime of the year. Enjoy!
This photograph highlights how foreground scenery can enhance the feel and look of the aurora. Go to polarbearalley.com for more information and illustrative shots of the region. This has been one of the most spectacular northern lights season in a long time in the Churchill region.
Sleek line of aurora borealis in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Aurora with igloo in foreground. Justin Gibson photo.
Guide Brad Josephs is in Churchill for Natural Habitat Adventures. Last night he reveals was one of the best ever aurora displays he has witnessed in his illustrious career as an outdoor adventure guide. Below is an excerpt from his report from the field. Stay tuned to churchillpolarbears.org for more news from the far north and the Hudson Bay village of Churchill, MB. Should be another amazing month of northern lights adventures.
“Guiding natural habitat aurora trips- I’ve seen some lights in my days, but last night in Churchill was top 5 in my life. they were moving so fast 5 second exposure still blurred them. at times we thought they were gonna swipe down and zap …us. yeah, you could have read a book by them. we probably could have heard them, but all you could hear was people moaning in awe. i got some time-lapse material ill put together later, as stills just don’t do this justice. even that wont, you just had to be there! what a way to start the first night of a trip, and it was only -17 f, no wind, and we only had to stay out till 2 am!!!! doesn’t get any better than that!”Brad Josephs
Natural Habitat guide Karen Walker finished off the northern lights season with a fun group of travelers that flew in and out of Churchill. “We arrived and had snow the first evening, but the sky cleared around midnight, so I woke up the guests and we drove down to the inukshuk behind the town complex for a nice view of the aurora.” reported Karen. High winds hampered the outside time a bit and soon the clouds appeared driving the group back to the hotel and warm beds. Great start to the adventure!
Karen’s last aurora group poses for a photo at the airport in Churchill.
The following day was a full one starting with Dene elder Caroline Bjorklund giving a cultural presentation on the native traditions of the Dene people. An exhilarating dog mushing trip on a beautiful, clear day got everyone’s blood flowing while gliding through the boreal forest…only the sound of paws breaking the crust of the snowy trail singing through the thin, black spruce forest.
A cozy dogsled trip through the boreal forest. Photo Brad Josephs.
That evening viewing the northern lights was incredible. Two hours of arches and swirls of greenish, diffused light in the sky above the Hudson Bay left lasting bonds between travelers and a everlasting memory of their journey north. A nice display indeed.
Aurora borealis over the boreal forest in Churchill,MB. Brad Josephs photo.
A visit with Myrtle and a presentation on Metis people and native culture the next morning followed by a drive out to the Churchill Northern Studies Center launched another active day in Churchill. A demonstration on snow testing gave the group some insight into what scientific research happens at this amazing, revamped facility. The sky was overcast all day, but cleared later in the evening in time for the traveler’s arrival at the aurora domes outside of town. The aurora appeared just as the group got settled in. “The lights grew brighter, then suddenly gave us quite a show — fast dancing curtains, tinged in pink, swirls, and a corona right overhead. It was a short but awesome display.” Karen reported. Everyone was thrilled with another stellar viewing night.
Since the Anglican church was under construction, Bill Calnan had the group out to Goose Creek to give his Hudson Bay historical talk and give people a feel for living in the snowy, cold conditions in Churchill. A fine way to round out an amazing trip to the sub-Arctic!
Another year of incredible immersion in Arctic culture and fine aurora viewing…every season is different and surprising. Another group of travelers will get to experience the same, hopefully, next year. For now, the next phase of natural adventure in Churchill will come in the form of beluga whales finding their way to the Churchill estuary in the Spring-time. Natural Habitat Adventures provides summer trips that are well rounded and all encompassing. Birding, botany and ample wildlife sightings fill long days of exploring. Can’t wait.
The Natural Habitat northern lights trips concluded last week in Churchill but the lights shine on amidst icy temperatures..some of the coldest in years for this time of year. Guide Brad Josephs lead photography tours around the area in search of amazing shots….he found them along with a touch of frostbite in the extreme temperatures. Luckily the warmer southern air of Colorado cured him and no body parts were lost. He’s safely back in Alaska ready for next year in the chilly Arctic. Seasoned aurora guide Karen Walker also wrapped up an incredible , and yes, cold season with memories to last a lifetime. I’m sure their groups of travelers have memories and photo’s they also will have for life as well.
Aurora shining in the Arctic sky above the boreal forest. Brad Josephs photo.
Interest in the northern lights & Arctic cultures trips has been growing yearly and increasing this past season to seven traditional and new photography trips. Despite the often uncommonly cold temperatures, travelers brave them to embrace the storied intrigue of the north. Many have ventured to Churchill previously for an up-close encounter with polar bears in the fall or a drifting in the Churchill River with Beluga whales in the summertime.
Well built inukshuk and igloo in Churchill. Karen Walker photo.
This year was amazing to say the least. Heightened solar activity has translated into more frequent scintillating auroral displays. All seven natural Habitat groups experienced the “northern lights” this year with many groups having multiple viewing experiences. Last year weather hampered the experiences of a few groups but this year has been incredible.
Photography of the northern lights has become a passion in the north. Brad Josephs photo.
Swirling aurora over the Hudson Bay in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
There are few comparisons to gazing up at the sky and witnessing the aurora in all its’ splendor. Each experience can have profound affects on one’s psyche…and create memories to last forever.
The cult-like following Hudson Bay Quest will depart Gillam, Manitoba on March 15th, and terminate in Churchill,MB this year. The two towns in the far north alternate starting positions every other year. Last year 16 mushers from North America contended for the mushing title and Shawn McCarty from Ely, Minnesota won the crown.
This year’s quest currently has 15 teams registered so far for the 220 mile (330 Km) race. 2011 was the first year the race changed courses and instead of braving life – threatening conditions along the ice edge of the Hudson Bay, the Gillam/Churchill route was employed. In that year, Charlie Lundie became the first HBQ winner from the host town of Churchill. He edged out Peter McClelland also from Ely, MN by just two minutes as the two raced toward Lundie’s home crowd filled with many family members of Lundie’s. After the win the crowd lifted Lundie on is sled in jubilation as goes the tradition in dog mushing. McCarty finished third that year and eventually won last year’s crown.
2012 winner Shawn McCarty from Ely, MN
Since the race has shifted more inland on the tundra following along the border of Wapusk National Parc and the Hudson Bay Railroad, a more consistent and recurring line-up of mushers have continued to return each year perpetuating a sort of rivalry between the southern mushers from the northern United States and the Churchill and other Canadian mushers. Any good competition thrives on repeat contestants challenging for the title year after year. The Hudson Bay Quest seems to be gaining that quality now that all the weather and danger issues of the bay are in the past.
Sled dogs yearn for this time of year. Brad Josephs photo.
While there’s still another month and a half before the race, the preparations are going strong. it takes enormous organization and communication to put on an event like this. Dave Daley of Wapusk Adventures in Churchill does the lions share of the work before hand and the Canadian Rangers volunteer their time during the race to insure safety of all the mushers and dogs is the priority. Even though the race is less dangerous these days, a winter storm can still make the trip dangerous…this is the high north after all.
As the race draws nearer I will keep you updated on the list of teams and any other new information regarding this year’s race. It looks to be an exciting time once again in the heart of winter in the sub-Arctic! With this also being the prime season for viewing aurora borealis in the northern sky, frequent updates from Churchill and Natural Habitat Northern lights tours will provide images and reports of activities and the lights.
