Natural Habitat Adventures guide Brad Joseph too this magnificent polar photo in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area last polar bear season. The ability to capture the detail in an image that is predominately white takes years of practice and experimenting with technical skill. Enjoy the image!
Polar bears in the snow. Brad Josephs photo.
When I was guiding Churchill Arctic Summer trips for Natural Habitat Adventures with local birding expert Bonnie Chartier, one common goal we always strived for was spotting the elusive and rare Ross’s gull.
The bird, named after the famed Arctic explorer James Clark Ross, has a signature black – necklaced stripe around its’ neck and would randomly appear out of the mist on the Churchill River along the flats to the east of the grain port. This was a nesting ground confirmed by researchers since around 1980. In fact I cannot remember ever seeing the prized bird anywhere else in Churchill. Northern Siberia still exists as the gull’s predominant breeding grounds with seasonal homesteading along the Arctic Ocean’s ice pack.
Ross’s gull along the gravelly shore. Brian Small photo.
Bonnie Chartier is world renowned for being an expert on the birds of the Churchill region and has a published guidebook (out of print at present) called A Birders Guide to Churchill. We would bring the entire group down to the Churchill River banks by the port and have all looking through binoculars, scanning the water and gravelly flats for smaller gulls with that distinct black stripe around the neck. Another distinguishing mark we always looked for was a rosy – washed colored underbelly.
Ross’s gull in flight. Bruce Mactavish photo.
A funny occurrence at the outset of a trip happened just along the stretch of road near the port and flats. Our group of 10 or so was searching the shallows and distant Churchill River for the gull when a independent couple just next to us had a set up a tripod with a spotting scope. They had in their possession a copy of Bonnie’s book and were in dire need of finding this prized bird for their “lifelist”. They began asking Bonnie if she knew anything about the bird and it’s whereabouts in Churchill when she subtly revealed whom she was and that the book they had was written by her. Needless to say we all had a good laugh and although no Ross’ gulls were spotted that day, the couple left with a signed copy and we all departed with a funny memory and story.
Northern lights with tee-pee in the foreground. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat travelers with guide Brad Josephs have been experiencing some of the most incredible northern lights of the year in Churchill. These beautiful photographs with the aurora overhead highlight the dynamic greenish swirls being fueled by higher than normal solar flare activity. As you can see, even a bus with interior lights takes on a dynamic look when surrounded by northern lights. Temperatures have been cold though bearable when observing such rare displays of aurora borealis.
With the Hudson Bay Quest only nine days away, the excitement is building with these nightly displays of mother nature’s fireworks!
A view back towards Churchill with amazing aurora. Brad Josephs photo.
Incredible northern lights with a reminder of bear season. Brad Josephs photo.
A reminder of polar bear season with aurora above. Brad Josephs photo.
Even a bus looks beautiful with the northern lights above. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat Aurora Pod. Boris Minkevich photo.
Natuaral Habitat Aurora pod. Boris Minkevich photo.
The Natural Habitat Aurora Pod is loaded on the train and ready to head north to Churchill,Mb. When it finally comes to rest somewhere on the tundra in the Churchill region, travelers will be able to view the aurora borealis in the comfort of the pod. Stay tuned for seasonal updates through the end of March!
Aurora in the northern Churchill sky. Brad Josephs photo.
February 27th is International Polar Bear day. The commemorative day was designated to bring to light the current plight of polar bears future fate hinging on global warming and reduced yearly sea ice in the north. The day is meant to positively encourage conservation efforts focusing on reduction of carbon output.
Natural Habitat Adventures has teamed up with World Wildlife Fund to create an incredible opportunity to symbolically adopt a polar bear in your name while at the same time venturing to Churchill, Manitoba to see these magnificent creatures in the wild.
Between today and February 27th, Natural Habitat Adventures will pay for your adoption fees through WWF when you book a Churchill polar bear adventure.
Sparring bears in the CWMA. Melissa Scott photo.
Encountering wild polar bears in their natural habitat will thrill and inspire you as well as hopefully motivate you to find ways to help protect this iconic species for the future.
If you reserve one of these trips today up to International Polar Bear Day on Feb. 27 you will receive your personal WWF adoption kit* including a certificate and species info card, frameable polar bear photo, plush polar bear toy, and reusable WWF gift bag.
