by Steve Selden | Jun 24, 2016 | Videos
Early September, high up on the Arctic’s North Slope, there is a feast truly hard to imagine! Around 80 polar bears gather each year along the rocky, frozen shores of Barter Island, just off the village of Kaktovik, where hunter-harvested bowhead whale remains await the hungry bruins. Since polar bears are generally known as solitary predators, this unique occurrence has peaked the interest of biologists in the north.
A small Inupiat hunting community, Kaktovik seemingly rests on the edge of the world, No roads or train tracks reach this northern outpost and packed sea – ice for nine months of the year isolates the town from most of the world. However, September beckons throngs of scientists and wildlife photographers to the speck of a town to document the incredibly voracious and unusual behavior. With more polar bears turning up year after year, biologists and climate researchers are working to solve the mystery of why this continues to draw a massive congregation of polar bears. Unlocking the clues of this migration is becoming paramount. The South Beaufort Sea polar bear population more and more is choosing to forage on land rather than the traditional sea – ice environment.
Inhabitants of Kaktovik, much like those of Churchill, Manitoba, become intertwined in their lives with the animals once the feast is over. The bears then meander towards town to see what else they can find. Perhaps dessert.
Todd Atwood is the lead polar bear scientist for the U.S. Geological Survey. Through his studies and research in the Arctic, he has estimated that polar bear numbers have declined 40% in the South Beaufort Sea area since 2006. Atwood is on a mission to find out the reason for the drastic decline.
by Steve Selden | Jun 21, 2016 | Churchill News
A potential strike between Via Rail and its union Unifor was averted late Sunday thus allowing service across the country and specifically Churchill to continue this summer.
Churchill’s Via rail station with a train on the dock. Cartan Tours photo.
Unifor represents about 1,800 of Via’s 2,500 employees, was threatening a strike Monday at 12:01 a.m. However, Via announced via Twitter late Sunday that all trains would operate as scheduled. This news was greeted with a sigh of relief by many in Churchill as the busy beluga whale tourism season is starting now. With no roads into the town of Churchill, the only way to reach the polar bear capital is by train or airplane. Losing the more affordable train service would preclude many travelers from reaching the sub-Arctic village. That would also cause economic strife for many of Churchill’s businesses and seasonal workers.
Beluga whales in the Churchill river. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
With this strike hurdle averted, we are hoping for another amazing Churchill Arctic Summer season with incredible surprises throughout. Stay tuned for updates from the tundra!
by Steve Selden | Jun 20, 2016 | Churchill Photography
The longest day of the year is gorgeous in Churchill and the sun sets around 10:30 this evening. Tomorrow the daylight will begin to wane but Churchill’s Arctic summer is just beginning. Wildlife sightings have been bountiful so far this spring and we expect the summer to be just as prodigious with bird – life, wildlife and wildflowers keeping travelers enthralled with the northern mystique! This image by Alex De Vries – Magnifico captures the stoic energy Churchill embodies this time of year.
Churchill River with remnant ice – floes and Fort Prince of Wales on the horizon. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
by Steve Selden | Jun 19, 2016 | Churchill News
The most elusive Arctic bird for bird watchers in Churchill has returned to the region. Well, at least that’s what Parc’s Canada is claiming on their website and twitter accounts. Of course the bird really hasn’t resurfaced until you see it if you’re the one in quest of the life – lister. There have been some reports of sightings and word is getting around that in fact the “Ross” is here and waiting to be checked off your life list. Come try and see this elusive gull this treasure packed Churchill Arctic summer!
Ross’ gull along the rocky Churchill shore. Brian Small photo.
Ross’s gull in flight. Bruce Mactavish photo.
by Steve Selden | Jun 17, 2016 | Churchill Photography
These shots from two amazing Churchill photographers Katie de Meulles and Alex De Vries – Magnifico capture the calm and remoteness of Churchill. The clean, clear air in Churchill as summer arrives give these shots the clarity that makes the north and the Arctic so alluring. So looking forward to many more exciting images as we continue through the season! These are some of the best shots we have seen in awhile!
Awesome sunset shot from the beach in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Ice floe in the Hudson Bay near Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
Having fun on an ice floe in the Churchill River. Alex de Vries – Magnifico photo.
Stoic image of the Churchill port on the Churchill River. Katie de Meulles photo.
