A Russian built snow vehicle from the 1950’s. A snowmobile prototype. TASS photo.
Russia has been active at exploring and settling the Arctic for many decades. This is one of the earliest vehicles to transport people in the area and quite the relic. How fun would it be to zip around the snowfields in this little number? These are not too far off from the original polar bear viewing vehicles from Churchill. The huge propeller fan on the back might be a deterrent for polar bears however!
Polar bear mother and cub this past fall in Churchill. Dorota Walkoski photo.
Polar bear season 2016 was filled with mother and cub polar bear sightings This shot by Great White Bear Tour’s Dorota Walkoski captures the loving affection of a mom and cub resting on the Precambrian shield. Every polar bear season in Churchill and come October 2017 we are sure there will be something different!
Hold your breath and hope for the best for this Arctic hare as these wolves pursue him at high speed. This is survival of the fittest in the purest sense. Another interesting fact about Arctic Hares, that I used to teach travelers to Churchill working as a guide for Natural Habitat Adventures, is that their black – tipped ears are a distraction and target for raptor predators. The birds focus on the spots and attempt to grab the hare by those dark natural targets instead of the neck or fleshy body. Since they are moving and thinner, they are hard to grab on to. These creatures are quite adapted to the Arctic environment!
Arctic fox poses outside the Great White Bear shop in Churchill. Don Walkoski photo.
This Churchill Sunday Photo by Great white Bear Tours owner Don Walkoski reminds us that winter doesn’t give way to summer in Churchill so quickly. Soon enough we will be seeing beluga whales frolicking in the Hudson Bay and Churchill River. What a beautiful Arctic Fox!
