Churchill Summer Treasures

Hudson Bay with ice floe in Churchill

Looking through melting ice out onto the Hudson Bay in Churchill. Great White Bear Tours photo.

Beluga whales are returning to the Churchill River and the birds are plentiful in the region these days. The short but rejuvenating Churchill summer season is one of the hidden treasures of the north country on the Hudson Bay. Until you’ve experienced all the wonders of this season in Churchill, you cannot appreciate the endless beauty and discoveries to be made each day..which are “literally endless” in the heart of summer.

Beluga in the churchill River

A majestic beluga signals the season is upon us. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.

Bird species begin arriving in spring and then continue filtering in and out throughout the summer. Over 200 species, including the ultra-rare Ross’s gull named after the British Arctic explorer James Clark Ross converge on this majestic feeding and breeding ground. This elusive gull can be sighted sometimes down by the flats on the Churchill River just south of the Port of Churchill. Famous Churchill birder, Natural Habitat Adventures guide and former Churchill Summer co-guide of mine Bonnie Chartier lead a group to a spot on the river once where we discovered the pinkish – bellied bird.

Ross’s Gull in the shallows near Churchill. Wikimedia Commons photo.

 

Ice floe in Churchill

A gorgeous ice-floe rests on the sea bed in Churchill, Manitoba. Great White Bear Tours photo.

The photo opportunities this time of year constantly unveil themselves daily. My favorite time of year is when the ice breaks up and these floes scatter the marine landscape. The colors of the water, rocks and ice all below a brilliant Arctic sky bring new hope and inspiration to Churchillians and those lucky to travel to this wondrous land.

Churchill Video of the Week – Kayaking With Beluga Whales

One of the most spectacular and soulful activities to do in Churchill is kayaking with the thousands of beluga whales that inhabit the Churchill River and surrounding Hudson Bay in the summer months. Seeing the curious belugas from three or four different perspectives rounds out an overall experience with these amazing creatures! Kayaking with belugas in the water is as close as you can get both physically and spiritually. Enjoy!

Churchill Beluga Season a Good One

Beluga whale in the Churchill River.

A beluga whale in the murky Churchill River. Reinhard Mink photo.

 

polar bear in Churchill

Polar bear scouring the tundra. Reinhard Mink photo.

 

Halfway Point in Churchill.

Aerial of view of Halfway Point and the Hudson Bay. Reinhard Mink photo.

 

Belugas in Hudson Bay Churchill

Pod of male beluga whales in the Hudson Bay. Reinhard Mink photo.

 

Churchill Fort Prince of Wales

View of Churchill with Fort Prince of Wales in the foreground. Reinhard Mink photo.

 

Beluga Churchill River Churchill

Beluga seemingly hovering in the Churchill River. Reinhard Mink photo.

Summer is winding down in the north and the action has been relentless with the usual incredible Churchill summer highlights. The polar bears have been wandering the rocky Precambrian coast of the Hudson Bay and Churchill River and belugas have posed for shots like these above for the entire summer. We can’t get enough of the awesome scenic vistas near the coast and inland along rocky tundra. Another summer in the north with the wildlife one only dreams of! These images from Reinhard Mink are just a sample of the wildlife wonders of Churchill!

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