by Steve Selden | Nov 3, 2016 | Tour News
Churchill is in full swing with polar bears “high and low” as you can see from these recent field image submissions from the region. Moira Le Patourel leading a group of Natural Habitat Adventures travelers had a spectacular time in Churchill. The snow covered tundra provides an Arctic background for the incredible wildlife sightings in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). What a trip for this fortunate group.
Polar bears scattered on the tundra of the CWMA were the highlight for sure though a bear lift at the holding compound was an event that is hit or miss for travelers to Churchill. It truly is spectacular to watch polar bears be flown northwest along the coast to a safe haven and released to the wild again. Timing is everything in order to catch one of these awesome spectacles! An incredible, unique experience if you can see it.
Group photo with guide Moira in front of a polar rover! Moira Le Patourel photo.
A polar bear wandering between a couple of polar rovers. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Magnificent polar bear in the snow. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Polar bear family walking a trail in the CWMA. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Polar bear sniffing at the falling snow. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Polar bear family posing for a group shot. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Lift off at the Polar Bear Holding Facility. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Up, up and away in the cargo nets for polar bear family. Moira Le Patourel photo.
While the polar bears on the land and in th air were exciting for all travelers, there was other wildlife to see as well. A regal red fox appeared from the willows to catch the eyes and camera lenses of the group. Ptarmigan as well made an appearance seemingly from out of nowhere. Both species reveal the secrets of the sub – Arctic to all those lucky enough to spot them. Magic seems to happen in Churchill especially during polar bear season!
Red fox emerging from the willows. Moira Le Patourel photo.
Willow ptarmigan on the rover trail in the CWMA. moira Le Patourel photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 1, 2016 | Tour News
Yesterday Claire de Jong, a Natural Habitat Adventures guest, who has been to Churchill six times over the last eight years was guided around the area by Churchill photographer and guide Alex De Vries – Magnifico. Alex provided Claire with a unique experience while seeing some special sights. The two went down to Polar Bear Alley and managed to see a polar bear at eye level. They then explored the abandoned rocket range and capped off the day with a close encounter with a friendly fox! Another special day on the tundra with Natural Habitat Adventures! Have a great adventure Claire!
The vast expanse of the Hudson Bay. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Claire in front of the historic Churchill Rocket Range compound. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
by Steve Selden | Oct 31, 2016 | Tour News
Natural Habitat Adventures guide Brad Josephs and his group of travelers were on their way to rover launch last week when they spotted a sight that most on – board the rover had never seen. No, not the
iconic “king of the north” the magnificent polar bear, although many of those beautiful creatures were in their future, but a stoic immature snowy owl. An “amazing sighting” according to Brad!
Iconic snowy owl perched on a snow covered rock. Brad Josephs photo.
This was just a preview of what was to come. “We had the most bears I have ever seen at one time on halfway point. They were all over the place!” Brad stated following a sensational day in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). A sow with two cubs of the year (coys) definitely stood out as the highlight of the expedition though
numerous polar bears with varied behavior kept the group in awe for hours and hours. This is a good sign for the ongoing season as the polar bear numbers are growing daily.
.”It was so incredible that this female felt so comfortable snuggling her precious little babies just 30 feet from our Rover.” reported Brad regarding the intimate interactions witnessed by the group.
Sow and her two coys approaching a polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Sow polar bear and her two coys snuggling in a kelp bed. Brad Josephs photo.
Red poll in a willow tree. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar rovers enjoying polar bears on the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Adult polar bear approaching the groups’ polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Brad’s Natural Habitat Adventures group listening to Churchill River Mushing’s head musher Kelly Turcotte. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures band of avid adventurers in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
The group rounded out their memorable and exciting time in Churchill with dogsled rides with Churchill River Mushing and owner/musher Kelly Turcotte. Kelly gives a history of mushing in Churchill while the group enjoys bannock and a hot drink after the rides in his authentic trappers tent. As you can see the group bonded well on their
amazing adventure in the north! by Steve Selden | Oct 29, 2016 | Churchill Photography
Great shot from snow – covered Churchill. Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton took this one of a resting polar bear on the tundra. Polar bears in Churchill are looking pretty healthy so far this season and the early snow has them feeling good in their habitat. It definitely feels like the stage is being set for one of the most magical polar bear seasons ever!
Gorgeous polar bear resting on the snow – covered tundra. Drew Hamilton photo.
by Steve Selden | Oct 28, 2016 | Churchill News
A brand new polar rover arrived to Churchill by train and is ready to transport avid travelers out into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area to search for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife species. This magnificent machine is built by Great White Bear Tours and reserved exclusively for Natural Habitat Adventures. It’s polar bear finding time!
New polar rover from Great White Bear for Natural Habitat Adventures. GWB photo.
