Drew Hamilton - Churchill Polar Bears

Churchill Polar Bear Season – Photos of the Week

by Steve Selden | Nov 9, 2015 | Churchill Photography

Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton’s photo group travelers snapped these pretty cool polar bear shots from their cell phones. Granted, the majority of the group posses numerous fancy, high powered lenses as one photo depicts, though it just shows that these days the quality of cameras in phones can produce excellent images. These polar bear photos are from photographers with all the gear and they still got the shots using minimal technology. Polar bears are curious animals and are attracted to most foreign smells out on the tundra. This allows travelers to usually get close and personal with bears as they approach the polar rovers.

Polar bears have an incredible sense of smell. Robin Snow photo.

Polar bear up close and personal in Churchill. Dean Snow photo.

Photo group with all the gear. Emily Chang photo.

Polar bear face through the Rover deck grate. Dean Snow photo.

Polar Bear Hierarchy at the Tundra Lodge

by Steve Selden | Oct 30, 2015 | Tour News

Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton has documented some pretty cool polar bear interaction out at the Tundra Lodge in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. The photos below show a small curious polar bear checking out the end of the Tundra lodge and then a larger male bear moving in and pushing the smaller polar bear off to the willows. The small bear then finally settled into a nice spot to chill and sleep. A very interesting interaction not witnessed very often. ” It was fascinating watching the larger bear assert his higher rank as he pushed on the younger bear to make sure the interloper knew who is the boss.” ,observed Drew. Just another awesome northern experience for travelers out on the tundra.

Juvenile polar bear inspects the Tundra lodge. Drew Hamilton photo.

Juvenile nervous about large male moving in. Drew Hamilton photo.

Large male polar bear arrives on scene. Drew Hamilton photo.

Large male bear chasing off small bear into the willows. Drew Hamilton photo.

Small polar bear glancing back towards Tundra lodge at large male. Drew Hamilton photo.

polar bear in the willows churchill, Manitoba

Small polar bear looking cautiously from the willows at the large male polar bear. Drew Hamilton photo.

Juvenile polar bear finally over the stress…no worries. Drew Hamilton photo.

Churchill Field Notes – Photos of the Week

by Steve Selden | Oct 29, 2015 | Tour News

With so much happening in Churchill we are posting more amazing photos that Natural Habitat Adventures guides have submitted from some pretty spectacular trips! Aggressive polar bear sparring seems to be the theme thus far as the 2015 polar bear season settles in. Aurora borealis has also been more visible in the northern sky in vivid reds and greens. A recent Tundra Lodge group viewed shimmering ribbons across the ink black sky deep in the CWMA. Last week my son and I experienced the northern lights with a few Natural Habitat groups by the inukshuk behind the town complex. My son’s eyes lit up with wonder as he viewed them over the placid and glimmering Hudson Bay. Priceless memories for sure.

Natural Habitat travelers on the tundra lodge under amazing northern lights. Drew Hamilton photo.

The tundra lodge has enjoyed abundant bear population from the start of the season. Sparring in and out of the willows surrounding the lodge has kept travelers in awe throughout the day. This will be hard to sustain though some new exciting phenomena out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) will surely arise. Every year a new and interesting behavior emerges from the polar bear population in Churchill. A cycle of other species seems to revolve from year to year as well. This season numerous snowy owls have been sighted all over the area. Last season red foxes were all over the tundra and the previous year the Arctic fox population was prolific.Every year is a new adventure!