by Steve Selden | Dec 2, 2015 | Churchill News
The Churchill River remains unfrozen due to the reoccurring southerly winds that have maneuvered the Hudson Bay pack ice in and out of the Churchill coast. This constant shifting at just the right times has left the Churchill River in a state of flux. Unfrozen water flows in and out of the mouth of the river, a not so unusual and the coast out at Cape Churchill, traditionally the final jump off location for polar bears, is still just scattered ice floes.
Churchill River still unfrozen. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Unfrozen Churchill River to date. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Even with the current ice conditions, the vast majority of polar bears in the area are floating on ice and hunting seals. Manitoba Conservation released all bears from the holding facility around the 25th of November and a few stragglers have been sighted around Churchill as evidenced by bear traps just outside some housing facilities.This is not completely uncommon for the odd bear to still be around though lack of consistent ice in the bay has enabled some bears to remain on land until the pack ice returns.
Bear trap outside of housing in Churchill. Heather Bekar photo.
This El Nino year has provided some unusual affects in Churchill. Before long the cold winter will set in and we all will be preparing for another phenomenal northern lights season beginning in late January. Stay tuned for the latest new from Churchill!
by Steve Selden | Dec 1, 2015 | Churchill News
The Port of Churchill, MB. Photo: Steve Selden
The Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway are being put up for sale by Denver based Omnitrax owned by the Broe Group. Both the Hudson Bay line from the Pas to Churchill and the port are being sold together as a package deal.
Prior to 1997 the Government of Canada owned the Port but then divested many of their crown holdings and sold the facility to US based Omnitrax. Because the Canadian National Railway had also been privatized, the line between Churchill and the Pas was also sold to the company.
While the sale announcement has been kept low key the news is now out and potential suitors have yet to come forward.
After anticipating a surge in shipping from the port, years of average growth and a decline this year in the grain shipping out of Churchill have lead management to search for new product avenues. Recent attempts to initiate oil shipments from the sub – Arctic port were quashed by public outcry amid fears of potential environmental destruction in the case of a spill. Protesters fear an oil spill in the Hudson Bay would cause irreversible damage to the fragile northern ecosystem that, among other wildlife, is home to the mighty polar bear.
It will be very interesting to see who steps forward as a potential buyer and what plans are put forth for the port and the Hudson Bay Line. The challenge is huge.
“Obviously, after a tough year in the industry we’ve looked at a lot of things and concluded that either the railway and the port needs more support or perhaps another owner or operator could take it on and see what they could do,” say Merv Tweed, president of OmniTrax Canada. “It is obviously a big challenge, but we feel we’ve put the port and railroad in decent shape over the last couple of years. We’ve brought in a lot of efficiencies, but it is a challenge.”
by Steve Selden | Nov 25, 2015 | Churchill News
A polar bear waiting patiently for the hudson Bay to freeze. Michelle Viengkone photo.
Just when you thought it was safe to walk the streets of Churchill polar bear season has reincarnated itself. Well, not quite that dramatic or mysterious, more like prevailing south winds that pushed the pack ice back into the immense Hudson Bay. This will most likely be a short – lived reprieve as the ice will surely pack in within the week. Northerly winds are forcasted. Most polar bears are already on the ice though there are some still lingering around. Manitoba Conservation statistics below show there are still 20 polar bears in the holding facility. Soon they all will be released to join the rest on the Hudson Bay ice pack. Polar bear season is not defined by travelers coming to see polar bears in their Natural Habitat but rather by when bears are able to access the winter environment in which they live and feed for survival!
Weekly Manitoba Conservation polar bear statistics. Manitoba Conservation image.
by Steve Selden | Nov 23, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Some awesome images by local photographer Alex De Vries – Magnifico in Churchill. The season has come to an end and ice covers the Hudson Bay as far as the eye can see. Polar bears have begun their winter seal hunting and will return to Churchill in the late spring.Enjoy these parting shots from polar bear season 2016!
Polar bear gazing out at the Hudson Bay. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Preparing for a polar bear lift. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Lifting off with polar bear in tow. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Heading north with polar bear in the cargo net. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures group looking on at the polar bear lift. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures group photo under the northern lights. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
The “end’ of polar bear season. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 17, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Polar bear season is finishing strong this year with almost no threat of early ice forming in the Hudson Bay. Polar bears will be here for the duration and maybe even a bit after all travelers have returned back home. This epic polar bear season has provided many thrills and they keep coming. These fine images by Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton are some of the best of the season. It’s hard to believe the six week journey is coming to a close. Enjoy!
Polar bear in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear sow with her two cubs walk by the Ithaca shipwreck in the Hudson Bay, Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear eye. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear sow and cubs near a polar rover in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear sow and cubs in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Vivid sunset in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
