Churchill Polar Bear Season 2016

Polar bear season has finally arrived and the season will kick off tomorrow with the initial group of Natural Habitat Adventures travelers arriving in Churchill and heading out to the Tundra Lodge. The lodge is a train – like grouping of rover style cars connected together to form an incredibly comfortable space to view majestic polar bears and other Arctic wildlife in a serene setting on the open tundra of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. (CWMA) Nighttime provides a dark environment for viewing northern lights off the open balcony decks.

Tundra-Lodge Churchill, Manitoba

The remote Natural Habitat Tundra Lodge in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.

Although Churchill has not experienced snow yet this season, it has not deterred polar bears from roaming the tundra and boreal forest. The polar bear below was photographed out by the Aurora Domes just yesterday by Churchill resident Claude Daudet. What a beautiful, clean polar bear to initiate the 2016 season. As you can see, a typical animal this time of year is thinner and awaiting the ice to form on the Hudson Bay. This juvenile seems to be in pretty good shape as he awaits the freeze-over that will allow the seal hunting season will commence.

a-frame-polar-bear-claude-daudet-10-16

Beautiful shaggy, white polar bear near the Aurora Domes yesterday. Claude Daudet photo.

After one of the most spectacular northern lights season’s last January and March, Churchill was blessed with one of the best Churchill Arctic summer season’s in recent history as well. We have not had reports of beluga whales lingering in the Churchill River or Hudson Bay like last year though there might be a few stragglers braving the late season.

northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Northern lights over Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.

Some of the nights in polar bear season offer the right conditions for viewing northern lights. There can be many overcast nights since the Hudson Bay remains usually ice – free through October and into November. Moisture rises and creates the cloud cover though occasionally a breeze will clear the skies for some epic aurora moments…especially mid November when temperatures are falling. We are looking forward to some amazing nights that produce some more other-worldly images above the Hudson Bay!

Polar bears sparring in Churchill, MB.

Polar bears sparring in the Churchill wildlife management Area. Natural Habitat adventures photo.

 

Polar bear on a polar rover in Churchill, MB.

Polar bear greeting travelers. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.

Stay posted for all the news from Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world! Whether it be sparring polar bears, an exciting bear lift from just outside town or the thrill of eyeing a polar bear just an arm’s length away on a polar rover, churchillpolarbears.org will provide daily updates and photos throughout the season. Pass the blog site link along to a friend so they can share in all the action!

More Aurora Photos from Churchill

I know the plethora of magnificent northern lights photos posted are getting out of control, though these are so good that they have to be shown to the world and our loyal subscribers. Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton snapped these boreal forest aurora borealis pics last night in Churchill. With the season continuing to build toward the Hudson Bay Quest on March 17th, we keep thinking the aurora borealis can’t get any better. It’s never been so good to be wrong! Enjoy!

aurora borealis churchill manitoba

Streaks of aurora borealis in the Churchill sky. Drew Hamilton photo.

Aurora borealis in Churchill, Manitoba

Northern lights above the boreal forest in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.

Aurora borealis in Churchill

Sweeping aurora borealis high above the boreal forest. Drew Hamilton photo.

northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Northern lights all over the Churchill sky. Drew Hamilton photo.

Northern lights in Churchill.

Northern lights going strong in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.

Magnificent Churchill Northern Lights Photo

Alex De Vries – Magnifico has been capturing fantastic images of Churchill and the wildlife around the area for awhile now. However, his photos of northern lights over the past year are among the best we have seen from the Churchill region. Check out this shot from deep within the boreal forest. Spectacular!

Northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Northern lights above the confines of the boreal forest in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.

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