Polar bear season in Churchill has been steady this year though the Manitoba Conservation report indicates there are numerous polar bears out at Cape Churchill. They should start to migrate along the coast west towards Churchill in the next week or so. The temperatures have been pretty mild so bears are isolated in certain areas at the moment. Stay tuned for more action from the CWMA!
Polar bear surveying the Hudson Bay. Brad Josephs photo.
These outstanding images from Churchill come from Natural Habitat Adventures guide Brad Josephs. His amazing photography skills bring us the current feel of the tundra with the fresh snow cover. It’s snowing today as well in the region so we should expect more fantastic winter scenes to come. Polar bear season has been filled with incredible wildlife sightings so far. Foxes have been seen all over the tundra and a large number of mother’s and cubs have been appearing over the last week. More to come as the week progresses! Enjoy.
Curious and beautiful red fox. Brad Josephs photo.
Weary mother and cubs on the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Silver fox scampering through the snowy tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear investigates the humans on a polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Gyrfalcon rests on the snowy tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear winks at the travelers on a rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Our Sunday photos are more beautiful sunrises from Churchill. Local photographer Katie de Meulles took these captivating shots yesterday at dawn over the tundra. Although we have had lots of polar bear action these are fantastic images we had to post. Enjoy
This week’s video comes directly from Churchill..hot off the press, rather camera. Natural Habitat Adventures Churchill office staff member Joel Moore filmed this unique angle time lapse of some pretty awesome northern lights a few days ago. The scene is near the inukshuk behind the town complex. Very rarely does Churchill experience aurora with these kind of clouds moving below. The effect is pretty cool and inspiring for hopes for another outstanding northern lights season commencing in January. It will be tough to top last year’s explosive displays of aurora borealis though we hope to make a run at it! Enjoy.
Churchill is in full swing with polar bears “high and low” as you can see from these recent field image submissions from the region. Moira Le Patourel leading a group of Natural Habitat Adventures travelers had a spectacular time in Churchill. The snow covered tundra provides an Arctic background for the incredible wildlife sightings in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). What a trip for this fortunate group.
Polar bears scattered on the tundra of the CWMA were the highlight for sure though a bear lift at the holding compound was an event that is hit or miss for travelers to Churchill. It truly is spectacular to watch polar bears be flown northwest along the coast to a safe haven and released to the wild again. Timing is everything in order to catch one of these awesome spectacles! An incredible, unique experience if you can see it.
Group photo with guide Moira in front of a polar rover! Moira Le Patourel photo.
A polar bear wandering between a couple of polar rovers. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Magnificent polar bear in the snow. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Polar bear family walking a trail in the CWMA. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Polar bear sniffing at the falling snow. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Polar bear family posing for a group shot. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Lift off at the Polar Bear Holding Facility. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Up, up and away in the cargo nets for polar bear family. Moira Le Patourel photo.
While the polar bears on the land and in th air were exciting for all travelers, there was other wildlife to see as well. A regal red fox appeared from the willows to catch the eyes and camera lenses of the group. Ptarmigan as well made an appearance seemingly from out of nowhere. Both species reveal the secrets of the sub – Arctic to all those lucky enough to spot them. Magic seems to happen in Churchill especially during polar bear season!
Red fox emerging from the willows. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Willow ptarmigan on the rover trail in the CWMA. moira Le Patourel photo.
