This iconic stoic photo of a polar bear waiting for sea ice to form on the Hudson Bay is classic. Polar bears are so patient and live a good part of their life in anticipation of a simple surface on which to hunt seals and find nourishment to live. That surface seems a little more complicated and compromised these days as the weather is certainly changing. This polar bear season in Churchill has been warmer than any in recent history and the affect on polar bears has been noticeable. Hoping for a massive cool down so our white, furry friends can head out to the ice!
Polar bear waiting patiently for sea ice to form on the Hudson Bay. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear occurrences in Churchill are becoming more frequent as bear numbers are growing in anticipation of the Hudson Bay freeze – up. The Polar Bear Holding facility is at half – capacity with two bear lifts scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at 1:30 for each. Temperatures are supposed to drop later this week and the cold should be consistent from then on into the heart of the northern winter. This polar bear season has been an odd one for sure with the moderate warmth for the first half of the season. All in all we still have amazing wildlife action with polar bears across the Churchill Wildlife Management Area!
Polar bear statistics for the week. Manitoba Conservation image.
This awesome video filmed by National Geographic in Svalbard, Norway of a polar bear family emerging from their den, roaming around hunting seals is just the calming visual we need at this time of turmoil in our world. We have been seeing polar bear sow’s with cubs of the year this polar bear season in Churchill and they have provided quite the experience for travelers to the north. Enjoy!
These outstanding images from Churchill come from Natural Habitat Adventures guide Brad Josephs. His amazing photography skills bring us the current feel of the tundra with the fresh snow cover. It’s snowing today as well in the region so we should expect more fantastic winter scenes to come. Polar bear season has been filled with incredible wildlife sightings so far. Foxes have been seen all over the tundra and a large number of mother’s and cubs have been appearing over the last week. More to come as the week progresses! Enjoy.
Curious and beautiful red fox. Brad Josephs photo.
Weary mother and cubs on the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Silver fox scampering through the snowy tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear investigates the humans on a polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Gyrfalcon rests on the snowy tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear winks at the travelers on a rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures guide Brad Josephs and his group of travelers were on their way to rover launch last week when they spotted a sight that most on – board the rover had never seen. No, not the iconic “king of the north” the magnificent polar bear, although many of those beautiful creatures were in their future, but a stoic immature snowy owl. An “amazing sighting” according to Brad!
Iconic snowy owl perched on a snow covered rock. Brad Josephs photo.
This was just a preview of what was to come. “We had the most bears I have ever seen at one time on halfway point. They were all over the place!” Brad stated following a sensational day in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA). A sow with two cubs of the year (coys) definitely stood out as the highlight of the expedition though numerous polar bears with varied behavior kept the group in awe for hours and hours. This is a good sign for the ongoing season as the polar bear numbers are growing daily.
.”It was so incredible that this female felt so comfortable snuggling her precious little babies just 30 feet from our Rover.” reported Brad regarding the intimate interactions witnessed by the group.
Sow and her two coys approaching a polar rover. Brad Josephs photo.
Sow polar bear and her two coys snuggling in a kelp bed. Brad Josephs photo.
Red poll in a willow tree. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar rovers enjoying polar bears on the tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Brad’s Natural Habitat Adventures group listening to Churchill River Mushing’s head musher Kelly Turcotte. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures band of avid adventurers in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
The group rounded out their memorable and exciting time in Churchill with dogsled rides with Churchill River Mushing and owner/musher Kelly Turcotte. Kelly gives a history of mushing in Churchill while the group enjoys bannock and a hot drink after the rides in his authentic trappers tent. As you can see the group bonded well on their amazing adventure in the north!
