by Steve Selden | Nov 28, 2014 | Churchill Photography
Now that the polar bears have headed out onto the ice-pack of the Hudson Bay, here are some parting shots from this polar bear season by Natural Habitat guides. This was one of the best seasons in a long time with numerous sows and cubs, sparring males and Arctic fox galore. Many other various sightings of wildlife as well as some true Arctic weather made this a very memorable season. Up next…aurora borealis trips at the end of January and going through most of March. Can’t wait for the images of northern lights!
Two polar bears sparring in Churchill, Manitoba. Melissa Scott photo.
Aurora in the northern Churchill sky. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear resting in a snowbank. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bear sniffing around the polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear print in the snow. Karen Walker photo.
Polar bears grapple in the willows. Colby Brokvist photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 22, 2014 | Videos
This video documentary by the BBC news group is an unique look into the world of the polar bear in its natural habitat. Sit back and enjoy!
by Steve Selden | Nov 18, 2014 | Videos
Check out this video of a mother polar bear and her cubs in Churchill, Manitoba a year ago. Natural Habitat will be wrapping up the season in a week as the bears head out onto the Hudson Bay ice. Some sows and cubs are still appearing on their way out to the seal hunting grounds.
See wild polar bears on the trip of a lifetime with Natural Habitat Adventures!
by Steve Selden | Nov 14, 2014 | Churchill Photography
Another amazing Tundra Lodge photo trip this past week with Natural Habitat guides Rinnie and Colby provided ample photography chances for ecstatic travelers. Polar bear season is in full thrust with Arctic weather setting up a winteresque transition into the season’s final two weeks. Although the frigid cold has accompanied the snow and once again cast the annual doubt on how the season will conclude before the Hudson Bay freezes over, nobody seems to want these beautiful bears to vanish just yet.
Polar bear resting in a snowbank. Colby Brokvist photo.
The adventurous start of the journey included getting delayed by a blizzard before charter pilots capably landed in Churchill through a “weather window”. “We arrived to the remote tundra lodge in full whiteout conditions, which really means we got to truly taste what arctic conditions are all about. In the morning we awoke to crisp blue skies, fresh snow, and a big male bear sleeping right outside the window of some of the guest bedrooms. Their first bear was right from their bedroom window!,” reported Colby.
Inquisitive polar bear inspects the Tundra Lodge. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bears get hot and heavy on the tundra. Colby Brokvist photo.
Sunset over the tundra in Churchill,MB. Colby Brokvist photo.
A polar bear greets Natural Habitat travelers at the Tundra Lodge after the previous day blizzard.
Over the next four days of shooting photos, mostly blue skies prevailed, so very rare during bear season, which was a pleasure for photography. Highlights included many sparring bears right at the lodge, several sets of sows with cubs, a couple of charismatic young female bears, and incredible opportunities for colorful landscape shots.
Aurora in the night sky at the Tundra Lodge. Colby Brokvist photo.
If that wasn’t enough, two of the nights the aurora borealis was dancing within openings in the cloudy night skies. What a trip out on the Tundra lodge!
Join us on the trip of a life time to photograph polar bears and the northern lights!
by Steve Selden | Nov 13, 2014 | Conservation
Churchill, Manitoba is home to the king of the Arctic, polar bears, this time of year for many reasons though weather surely tops the list. You see, polar bears actually love the cold, snowy environment that slowly melds the surrounding tundra into the waters of the Hudson Bay forming a seemingly continuous icy landscape. When this happens, Ursus Maritimus walks out onto the bay and disappears into the white in search of sustenance for survival.
The two-month long period in between is intense and somewhat unpredictable thus the reason for so many travelers making the annual pilgrimage to Churchill, Manitoba.
Here are some recent photographs from Churchill submitted by Natural Habitat guides from their daily treks to the Churchill Wildlife Management Area…a polar bear waiting area for true winter in the north.
Polar bear dance…sparring. Brad Josephs photo.
A sun dog casting its’ rays on an inukshuk. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat travelers photographing a polar bear from their polar rover. Karen Walker photo.
A polar bear sow with its’ cub of the year. Sean Beckett photo.
Natural Habitat polar bear guide Moire Le Patourel with polar bear tracks. Eric Rock photo.
Come see the land of the polar bear with Natural Habitat Adventures! Visit nathab.com today.
