When I first started guiding Churchill Arctic summer trips I fell in love with beluga whales in the Churchill River and out in the Hudson Bay. Every year for ten years I returned pulled by the same force that I felt the whales were pulled by each year. I felt an incredible calm and peace inside after the very first whale trip on the River. Actually, I felt that calmness within ten minutes of being with the whales. Year after year that feeling became stronger as I bonded with the whales through different interactions on the water.
This amazing 3 am sunrise shot of the Hudson Bay break – up by Alex de Vries – Magnifico needs few words to describe! Sunrises in Churchill this time of year are off the charts.
Sunset over the Hudson Bay. Alex de Vries – Magnifico photo.
A polar bear swimming in the Hudson Bay is a great way to kick off the summer. Polar bears will often get in the water to try and take a seal though they also enjoy the occasional cool dip on a hot day. Polar bears are curious and playful by nature and this young sub – adult seems to have plenty of energy. Witnessing all the different behaviors of polar bears in the wild is why venturing to Churchill is so rewarding. Photographers come here because they can get all the different facets of a polar bear’s life often in one trip. Enjoy this Churchill Video of the Week!
Incredible beluga whale photos are hard to come by from deck level of boats on the Churchill River or Hudson Bay. Timing the surfacing of the whales is a guess at best and quite often the photos come out with a bunch of white humps protruding from the dark seawater. This view from a helicopter captures a unique perspective that places the travelers in the middle of the beluga whale pod and instead of the whales being the main subject, both humans and whales equally share the focus. One of the best shots I’ve ever seen!
Kayakers in Churchill surrounded by beluga whales. Sea North Tours photo.
Alex de Vries – Magnifico took this photo from an ultra light above the Hudson Bay…pretty impressive and gutsy. You can see the ice has broken up in the Churchill River and soon beluga whales will be filling the water in all directions. Enjoy the view!
