by Steve Selden | Jan 20, 2015 | Churchill News
Below freezing temperatures have blown in from the north across the Hudson Bay and settled into the Churchill region lowlands. The snow covered tundra and stunted spruce trees are frosted over and the land has fallen into a deep hibernation for the remainder of winter.
The extended forecast will make most people shiver though in the north they tend to adjust to the cold once it becomes a daily norm. Take a look at the short – term outlook at this Environment Canada website.
Winds and cold temperatures in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
With the cold comes general good visibility this time of year. This is the reason, coupled with the higher solar flare activity, that February and March are optimal months for northern lights viewing around the polar regions. In these months the axis of the earth is slightly more aligned with the sun’s axis producing more auroral bands in the region.
The extensive number of clear nights with the occasional winter blizzard make for incredible
northern lights viewing and photography. Extended hours of darkness provide greater opportunities for aurora viewing as well. The snowy landscape enhances the scenes with reflective light. Even half to full moons during these months make for some unique lighting on the landscape and also the chance to get some great photos of the lights and moon together. This is the time to see northern lights in Churchill!
Photography of the northern lights has become a passion in the north. Brad Josephs photo.
Want to see northern lights in Churchill? Check out nathab.com today!
by Steve Selden | Jan 16, 2015 | Churchill News
Those that travel to Churchill, Manitoba, one of the increasingly rare places on Earth, you can “leave it all behind”, as they say, should literally really consider leaving a few things behind. Not just the routine stresses or habits of daily life.
A sun dog casting its’ rays on an inukshuk. Brad Josephs photo.
1. Cell Phone-Although Churchill just upgraded cell service to 4G – high speed, this is a place travelers might refrain from using or even bringing a cell phone. I clearly remember the awful feeling I had after working in Churchill for about 10 years upon hearing cell service was coming to town. The “disconnected” experience, especially in such a pristine and wild frontier town is a dying phenomena. When traveling to a place that you might only visit once in your lifetime, let the mind and soul get the full experience. In such a tight knit community people tend to interact face to face as they often see each other almost every day.
2. Running Shoes- Even the most avid runners might consider taking some time off from this form of exercise in Churchill. Unless you plan to run around the nine or so blocks of town, and get plenty of strange looks, any long distance out-of-town jaunts are discouraged most seasons of the year. Unless you have a friend driving along in a car with you or you can run faster than 35 mph for an extended time. Now you could run in the dead of winter though it’s a bit difficult in eight layers of clothing and sorels.
3. Cats- Believe it or not a Natural Habitat traveler insisted on bringing their cat from California on a trip to Churchill. We made accommodations for the pet but that’s really not the point. Given the number of sled dogs in Churchill and north in general it really can’t be considered “cat country” by any stretch of the imagination.
My excellent room mate Buddy the cat.
4. Too Much Camera Equipment- While Churchill is one of the most diverse and inspiring places in North America to photograph or video wildlife and landscapes, someone who travels to Churchill seeking a fully immersed experience might consider scaling back, taking in the live experience and letting the mind store lifetime memory images. Now, serious or professional photographers will have a slightly different opinion but they tend to have mastered the ability to enjoy both aspects of the craft..enjoying the moment while getting their shots or footage. I have guided many summer beluga whale trips where some folks spent too much time and energy trying to get the one-in-a-million poster-shot and miss the amazing full immersion of the adventure. This theory translates to polar bear season as well. There’s definitely an aura that exists in these far reaching places that one cannot translate through a lens.
Natural Habitat travelers swimming in the Churchill River. Steve Selden photo.
5. Bathing Suit- The town complex does have an indoor pool thought the hours of operation are a little spotty. Unless you’re planning on taking a polar bear plunge in the 40 C Hudson Bay, which on certain summer “hotspot of Manitoba” days could be an option. You might also want to jump in the Churchill River ( more like 50-55 C down – river a bit), which I have done numerous times. So, actually want to bring a bathing suit and which retrospectively makes this post Four Things You Don’t Need In Churchill. We will leave this last one up to you. Skinny dipping is always an option.
by Steve Selden | Jan 15, 2015 | Videos
In the late 1720’s peace between England and France was on edge, and in 1730 the Hudson Bay Company initiated construction on Fort Prince of Wales at the mouth of the Churchill River (650 meters across at that point) at Eskimo Point. The strategic location – the peninsula at the mouth of the Churchill River and Button Bay to the west – affords an ideal location for defense and spotting ships on the horizon. The availability of raw material, quartzite and limestone for building, and a natural harbor just upriver at Sloops Cove added to the prime location. Severe weather conditions slowed construction considerably to say the least.
Looking for polar bears from inside fort Prince of Wales. Steve Selden photo.
Twenty-four tradesmen and laborers were sent from England in 1731 and the first large, shaped stone was laid on June 3, 1732. It was estimated that construction would take six or seven years to complete using four team of oxen and 84 men. Forty years later in 1771, the fort was completed. In 1782 Jean Francois de la Perouse and his three French warships sailed into Hudson Bay and captured the fort and the 39 non – military men inside without a single shot fired from either side. The men “maintaining” the fort were untrained in cannon operation. The forged steel cannons needed six to eight men to fire them efficiently and accurately.
Fort Governor at the time, Samuel Hearne, realized the mismatch in military strength and surrendered peacefully. In 1783, Fort Prince of Wales was returned to the Hudson Bay Company in a partially destroyed state. With the decline of the fur trade the importance of the fort waned and a downsized post was reestablished farther inland on the Churchill River.
Summer in Churchill is the optimal time to get a walking tour of Fort Prince of Wales. Visit nathab.com for travel options to Churchill!
by Steve Selden | Jan 12, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Polar bears get all the press in Churchill, Manitoba. They are why most travelers head north to the Hudson Bay shoreline… hoping to see the “king of the Arctic”. Another animal is quite prevalent in the area and they inhabit the town year-round.
Sled dogs of different breeds are scattered all across the tundra on the outskirts of town. Mushers locate them in groups of 10-50 in designated areas on crown land leased for that purpose. With the increasing popularity of dog-sledding from a tourism standpoint as well as the increase in passion for professional endurance races such as the Hudson Bay Quest, the iconic “husky” sled dog has become an animal attraction for those wanting to get the full flavor of the Arctic.
Enjoy these fantastic photographs from Churchill…the new “sled dog” capitol of the north!
Hudson Bay Quest race start 2014 in Churchill, MB. Brad Josephs photo.
Canadian Eskimo sled dog outside Arctic Trading Company in Churchill. Karen Walker photo.
Sled dog team waiting for the signal in Churchill.
Sled dog taking a quick rest between runs in Churchill.
Churchill musher Charlie Lundie and his dog team. Steve Selden photo.
Churchill sled dogs going for the gold. Brad Josephs photo.
Come to Churchill for a sled dog excursion with Natural Habitat Adventures! visit nathab.com for more information on these incredible experiences.
by Steve Selden | Jan 10, 2015 | Churchill Photography
This is one of my favorite polar bear photos from Churchill, Manitoba. Hopefully, most polar bears are enjoying a bountiful hunting season out on the Hudson Bay pack ice.
Polar bear cubs with mother by the coast of Hudson Bay. Kurt Johnson photo.
