northern lights - Churchill Polar Bears

Polar Bear Season – Snowy Images

by Steve Selden | Nov 28, 2015 | Churchill Photography

Some really amazing photos from Churchill photographer Katie de Meulles. The photography from Churchill and polar bear season has been the best in years with varied subjects from the tundra. With another season in the books before we know it northern lights season will be going strong…seems like it just ended. Enjoy these shots from polar bear season!

View through town of Churchill.Katie de Meulles.

Polar bear family on the tundra. Katie de Meulles photo.

polar bears and sunset churchill, Manitoba

Sunset and polar bears. Katie de Meulles photo.

Polar bears in the snow in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Katie de Meulles photo.

Sunset in Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.

Hudson Bay Quest Roster Filling Fast

by Steve Selden | Nov 16, 2015 | Tour News

Hudson Bay Quest dog eager to run. Laurie Dingwall photo.

This year’s Hudson Bay Quest will start in Churchill on Thursday March 17th (St. Patty’s Day) and finish in Gillam! Should be quite a celebration with some green beer at the start line. Come to Churchill and see the northern lights and the start of a great race!

1.) Dan DiMuzio
Kennel – Sleddog Energy
Churchill, MB

2.) Charlie Lundie
Kennel – Charlie’s Kennel
Churchill, MB

3.) David Daley
Kennel – Wapusk Adventures
Churchill, MB

4.) Justin Allen
Kennel – Wapusk Adventures
Churchill, MB

5.) Peter McClelland
Kennel – White Wilderness
Ely, MN, USA

6.) Shawn McCarty
Kennel – White Wilderness
Ely, MN, USA

7.) Jamie Nelson
Kennel – Rocky Glenn
Togo, MN, USA

8.) Craig Houghton
Kennel – Craig and Sean Racing Dogs
Fort St. James, BC

9.) Bruce Langmaid
Kennel – Cashman Creek Sleddogs
Kearney, ON

10.) Leanne Bergen
Kennel – Gone to the Dogs Racing
Sioux Lookout, ON

11.) Matt Groth
Kennel – Grand Marais Sled a Dog Adventures
Grand Marais, MN, USA

Welcome to the HBQ!

Churchill Guides Notes and Photos

by Steve Selden | Nov 6, 2015 | Tour News

Amidst the magnificent diversity of wildlife viewing this polar bear season, another phenomena has captured the attention of many travelers to the north country. Clearly the highlight of this polar bear season in Churchill has been the fairly consistent northern lights and their multi – colored displays in the northern sky. Polar bear sparring, particularly out around the Tundra Lodge in the Churchill Wildlife management Area, has been steady and exciting over the past couple of weeks. Clear skies have provided the opportunity for northern lights viewing for almost every Natural Habitat Adventures group this season. Incredible night shows!

Northern lights above the confines of the boreal forest in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.

Over the years, Churchill has revealed some other, less visible wildlife such as moose, wolves, pine martens and perigrine falcons. This image below by Natural Habitat Adventures guide Colby Brokvist of a wolverine is one of the best I’ve ever seen out of Churchill. Colby reported that, “the animal climbed up the tree to try and swat the helicopter out of the air, protecting his ground.” just an amazing shot!

Wolverine climbing tree out on the tundra. Colby Brokvist photo.

These next few polar bear photos by Natural Habitat guide Drew Hamilton are great shots of the relaxation process polar bears go through during this time of walking hibernation. Polar bears do engage in sparring and active walking and hunting if possible though much of their time during the fall is spent conserving energy in the snow, kelp or willows.

Polar bear in a kelp bed. Drew Hamilton photo.

Polar bear sporting a battle scar. Drew Hamilton photo.

Relaxing polar bear in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.

This closing shot by Natural Habitat guide Colby Brokvist is typical of what this season has delivered with regards to incredible aurora borealis. This could be the best season for northern lights we have seen in a decade in Churchill…lets hope it continues for the next few weeks.

Hudson bay and Northern lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Magnificent northern lights over the inukshuk by the Hudson Bay in Churchill. Colby Brokvist photo.

Aurora Borealis Shines in Churchill Sky

by Steve Selden | Nov 4, 2015 | Churchill News

Churchill’s polar bear season is running along smoothly and bear counts are increasing daily. The hudson Bay has a buffer of land – fast ice that will continue to expand with cooler temperatures. Northern lights have been sharing the spotlight with polar bears so far this season with incredible shows over the last few nights. Check out these tantalizing northern lights photos by Drew Hamilton!

Northern lights above the inukshuk in town. Drew Hamilton photo.

Last night had a high rating of probability, six, which is very infrequent according to Natural Habitat Adventures guide Eric Rock. Natural Habitat adventures Guides in Churchill expressed that last nights lights were some of the best they have ever seen in the north. Northern lights could be seen as far south as the northern united states with fascinating displays reported from many.

Tantalizing northern lights in the Churchill sky. Drew Hamilton photo.

Churchill’s main northern lights season occurs in February and March with increased probability of seeing the spectacle. Since the Hudson Bay and Churchill River are frozen solid at that time of year, night skies tend to have more cloudless nights without water being drawn up from the Hudson Bay by prevailing north winds. These amazing displays are a bonus for travelers seeking out the polar bears and other Arctic wildlife of the Churchill region.

Natural Habitat Adventures travelers by the inukshuk under aurora. Drew Hamilton photo.

Northern lights from the boreal forest. Drew Hamilton photo.

Boreal forest view of the northern lights. Drew Hamilton photo.

Churchill Photos of the Week – Polar Bears

by Steve Selden | Nov 3, 2015 | Churchill Photography

These recent photos from Natural Habitat Adventures guide Colby Brokvist are some fantastic polar bear shots out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Polar bear activity has been increasing out in the CWMA with the recent seal – kill out at Gordon Point. Sparring at the Tundra Lodge and around the area has continued to peak as well. Northern lights have been exceptional this season and hopes that the trend will continue through the second half. In fact this evening presents incredible viewing potential even down through some of the United States due to solar storms produced through intensified reactions in the Earth’s atmosphere. Lets hope that the sky is clear in Churchill and wherever the lights might be visible!