by Steve Selden | Aug 15, 2016 | Tour News
Natural Habitat Adventure’s Churchill Arctic summer trips are winding down and guide Moira LaPatourel submitted these images from the last trip. Looks like a group of happy travelers experienced all kinds of northern fun in Churchill! While polar bear activity has calmed down some from a couple of weeks ago, the tundra still reveals all the treasures of late summer as berries and other wildflowers are squeezing all they can out of the short growth season. Beluga whales in record high numbers have been all throughout the estuaries this summer. Last year some belugas were still present at the start of polar bear season in October and by the looks of this summer we may have a repeat of that this year.
This has been one of the most successful Churchill Arctic summer seasons on record with bears and belugas in prolific numbers. With all the supporting scenery and wildlife, this Churchill Arctic summer will be etched in many traveler’s memories!
The stark coastline of the Hudson Bay in the distance. Moira LaPatourel photo.
A Natural Habitat group bonfire behind the town complex by the Hudson Bay. Nothing like a nice wine and cheese gathering to bond a group together. Moira LaPatourel photo.
The hard – to – find Samuel Hearne etching along the Cape Merry path. Moira LaPatourel photo.
Beluga whales frolicking in the Churchill River. Moira LaPatourel photo.
The amazing polar rover escorts Natural Habitat groups out to the coast in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Moira LaPatourel photo.
by Steve Selden | Aug 7, 2016 | Churchill Photography
An awesome shot of Pisew Falls on the road to Thompson. Natural Habitat Adventures groups heading to Churchill get off the train in Wabowden and take a coach to Thompson to reconnect with the train in Thompson. I have had the pleasure of guiding many travelers to this spot over the years and this is always an epic photo opportunity. A boardwalk down into the forest stops at a overlook platform where one can get views like this. Enjoy!
Pisew Falls on the road to Thompson. Moira LaPatourel photo.
by Steve Selden | Aug 2, 2016 | Churchill Photography
Incredible wildlife sightings and bursting wildflowers have made this an awesome Churchill Arctic Summer so far! Moira LaPatourel has been guiding Natural Habitat travelers in the Churchill region and the surprises keep coming for the groups both on the water and out on the tundra.
This magnificent common loon and chick was spotted on a thermokarst pond out by the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. These majestic and haunting birds will often circle their water surroundings and give their haunting call to announce the arrival of their offspring. Always an incredible experience to see these in the sub – Arctic.
Common loon and her chick on the water in Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
With the Cape Merry battery looming in the distance, a beluga sow and calf frolic in the Churchill River. Whale interaction has been off the charts this season with pods of belugas all over the waters surrounding Churchill. Snorkeling and kayaking have been particular highlights for groups as well this season.
Beluga whales in the Churchill River with Cape Merry in the background. Moira LaPatourel photo.
A rarely seen bald eagle made an appearance and perched atop this krumholz spruce on the open tundra. A perfect spot for eyeing lemmings scurrying across the ground.
A bald eagle perched on a spruce tree in the open tundra of Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
A group of travelers gets more of a birds – eye view from the deck of the Sea North I on the Hudson Bay. This vessel provides more of a view above the beluga whales for slightly better photo opportunities. Venturing over to Button Bay or further into the Hudson Bay is another facet this larger jet propulsion craft provides.
Viewing beluga whales in the Churchill River from the Sea North I vessel. Moira LaPatourel photo.
Natural Habitat travelers enjoy the versatility of a zodiac excursion on the Churchill River. The small craft often can cruise the coastline and discover a gem like this resting polar bear on the Precambrian shield! Seeing polar bears in Churchill Arctic summer is such an awesome experience and often more of a thrill than seeing the king of the Arctic in polar bear season!
Travelers view a polar bear from a zodiac in the Churchill River. Moira LaPatourel photo.
Fireweed has consumed the landscape at this point of the season. The purple injects a swath of color to the landscape that blends the blues of the water and rocks with the subdued earth colors of the tundra.
Fields of wildflowers across the tundra in Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
by Steve Selden | Jul 21, 2016 | Churchill Photography
This wild shot of a polar bear swimming in the Hudson Bay was captured by Natural Habitat Adventures expedition leader Moira LaPatourel in Churchill. The rare sighting of a polar bear swimming is always an incredible thrill. Keeping a safe distance when in a zodiac or small boat is a good idea. Seeing polar bears in their natural habitat is truly an experience of a lifetime.Enjoy!
Polar bear is alerted to travelers while swimming in the Hudson Bay. Moira LaPatourel photo.
by Steve Selden | Jul 13, 2016 | Churchill Photography
A magnificent Churchill Arctic summer day on the tundra by the Hudson Bay. Natural Habitat Adventures summer groups are arriving and looking forward to a exciting experiences throughout the summer. Natural Habitat guide and photgrapher Moira LaPatourel will be reporting from Churchill. Stay tuned for more exciting news and photos.
Fields of wildflowers across the tundra in Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
