Natural Habitat Guide Colby and travelers enjoyed incredible happenings to start the season. “We deemed it the “quadfecta”, almost unheard of, consisting of the very best aurora show I’ve ever seen, close-up bear encounters, a polar bear lift, and even Beluga whales still lingering in the Churchill River estuary.” stated Colby. Three of those occurrences are rarities for sure.
Additionally, numerous snowy owls, arctic hare, incredible dog sledding, and intriguing cultural programs in Churchill made this a trip to remember. “Certainly one of the best early season trips I’ve ever had,” added Colby. With the weather being changeable right now, polar bear action varies greatly from day to day. Plenty of patience paid off time and time again. More exciting action to come!
Polar bear emerging from the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
Snowy owl on the rocks in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.
Arctic Hare in the rocks. Colby Brokvist photo.
Northern lights at the Tundra lodge. Drew Hamilton photo.
Natural Habitat group spying beluga whales in the Churchill River. Drew Hamilton photo.
The Georgia Aquarium just had an amazing event occur this week. A baby beluga whale was born in captivity. Although always a controversial occurrence, the ability to witness this incredible phenomena can only happen in such a setting. Aside from that the educational benefits to those studying the species and those who cannot travel to the Arctic waters to see belugas in their natural habitat are immense. I am generally not an advocate of aquariums housing wild animals without releasing them but there are some educational aspects such as this birth that cannot be observed in the wild. That alone can stimulate incredible conservation initiatives and support from people everywhere.
Sleeping bear on the tundra in the CWMA. Brad Josephs photo.
This classic shot of polar bear resting by Natural Habitat guide Brad Josephs is a great end of the week image. Sometimes you just have to put your head down on a rock and take a deep breath!
After over a year of planning, researching and coordinating in Churchill, Natural Habitat’s new Aurora Pod was put to the test in March. I made the journey north to assist with placement and set-up along the Hudson Bay coast.
Northern lights above the aurora pod. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
The view out across the frozen bay and east over the snowy Precambrian shield was an immediate fit for what we were looking for. Boreal forest behind the pod shelters from wind while scattered krumholz white spruce in the foreground provide ultimate northern lights photography options. The setting allows for alternative photo experiences in daylight as well.
Inukshuk in the foreground with Precambrian shield in the distance. Courtesy natural Habitat Adventures.
The natural, sheltered nook in which the pod sits provides the ultimate location for taking in the incredible expanse of sea, land and sky of the sub – Arctic region. Overall the first test of the Aurora Pod was phenomenal. Travelers immediately experienced the perspective of viewing aurora borealis from the interior as well as using the ample open land surrounding the pod to set up tripods and capture the light show digitally. The effects were spectacular. Photographs of the pod lit subtly from within from the pellet stove also proved quite unique as well.
Aurora Pod with the northern lights in the distance. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
