Dennis Fast from Churchill captured these magnificent colorful polar bear shots in glowing fireweed. The unique photos were published by CBC News to highlight the way polar bears playfully interact with their surrounding environment. We view them most of the year in snowy settings, however with sea ice melting earlier in the Spring, polar bears are arriving on the coastal lowlands earlier and more often throughout the Arctic summer months.
Churchill is winding down from the summer season and it won’t be long before polar bears outnumber Churchillians in this part of the world. Polar bear season is two months away and bears are already appearing in this frontier town on the Hudson Bay. Here are some classic photographs to inspire adventure in everyone.
Largest polar bear recorded; 2,209 lbs.
Dan Guravich photo.
Curious polar bear and curious onlookers. Natural Habitat Adventures photo.
Polar bears in Churchill. Melissa Scott Photo.
Polar bear sow and cub out near Halfway Point. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Natural Habitat Group in Churchill. Moira LePatourel photo.
Polar bear mom and cub on the beach at Button Bay. Moira LePatourel photo.
Polar bears resting on the beach. Moira LePatourel photo.
Belugas in the Churchill River. Moira LePatourel photo.
Gray Jay eating out of photographers hand. Maximilian Munch photo.
Churchill attracts some of the best world renowned photographers throughout the year. Many of them come just to capture the next best polar bear image in October or November. Many others come to this frontier town year-round and discover the incredible beauty of the Arctic summer or the mystical northern lights in February or March. No matter what time of year, there is always a secret treasure waiting to be found.
These photos by Maximilian Munch in Churchill display some of the beauty of the land and landmarks. Enjoy!
The Ithaca shipwreck in Churchill. Maximilian Munch photo.
Polar bear on the rocks near the Hudson Bay. Maximilian Munch photo.
Mother and cub polar bear on the rocks. Maximilian Munch photo.
Miss piggy plane wreck. Maximilian munch photo.
Some fresh summer shots from Churchill local photographer and Parc’s Canada ranger Rhonda Reid. Churchill is full of many surprises as summer starts to blend into fall during August. A Natural Habitat Adventures group was incredibly fortunate to see polar bears, beluga whales and northern lights last week which is always an incredible feat!
Northern grass of parnassus with pollinating insects in petals. Rhonda Reid photo.
Precambrian shield sloping down towards the Hudson Bay. Rhonda Reid photo.
Polar bear mom and cub nearing the dock at Cape Merry. Rhonda Reid photo.
Manitoba Conservation officer monitoring bears emerging from water. Rhonda Reid photo.
Polar bear sow and cub on the far point rocks near Cape Merry. Rhonda Reid photo.
