Can you believe the texture of these fantastic northern lights shots from Churchill photographer Alex De Vries – Magnifico? Just because aurora borealis season doesn’t technically start until January, that doesn’t mean the lights can’t appear in this dramatic fashion over a rustic cabin in Churchill, Manitoba…as they tend to do. Alex has a knack for finding new and creative settings in and around Churchill where he can capture the essence of this amazing phenomena! We are surely all getting excited about polar bear season which is just around the corner but northern lights season has an allure of its own that is indescribable. Lights can happen year – round in Churchill and the polar regions, however, polar bears can only be seen with assurance in October and November. Luckily polar bears have migrated to the ice by the time travelers arrive for northern lights in January! Both seasons are worth the trip north.
Polar bear season is nearly year round in the town of Churchill on the shores of the massive Hudson Bay. Polar Bear Alert officers are on the job working tirelessly to secure the town from wandering polar bears. What an amazing job they do protecting churchillians and travelers to Churchill. This video gives some incredible insight into their job and what it takes to be a Polar Bear Alert officer! Enjoy!
Polar bear resting on the rocks in Churchill. Great White Bear Tours photo.
We would like to send a big thank you to Great White Bear Tours of Churchill for taking groups of travelers out in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area to view wildlife and especially polar bears. Their spectacular polar rovers keep groups from Natural Habitat Adventures safe and warm while viewing active polar bears across the tundra as well as other Arctic wildlife. They also supply loads of current incredible images from the Churchill region like this healthy polar bear from yesterday. The group also spotted a caribou out on the land. We are all looking forward to the upcoming polar bear season in October!
Polar bear, two gulls and raven in Churchill. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Sleepy polar bear on the Precambrian shield. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Three polar bears feast on a beluga whale carcass in Churchill while gulls await the scraps. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
A curious polar bear surveys the area from behind a rock outcrop. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
A large, healthy polar bear emerges from a nap in the rocks on the Hudson Bay shore. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
August in Churchill can be polar bear sighting time and this year seems to be setting the bar higher than ever. The polar bears photographed by Alex De Vries – Magnifico appear quite healthy and active. In fact, a big bear was spotted in the middle of Churchill just today. It seems that the polar bears are adapting to more ice-free days and finding alternative food sources. As you can see in one photo, a group of three polar bears graze on a beluga whale carcass adding to their fat storage and subsequent energy reserves that will allow them to make it through the fall while they wait for Hudson Bay ice to form. Summer bear sightings have increased almost every year and particularly in August, the buffer time before the Churchill polar bear season starts in October into November. Enjoy!
Reflection of a skiff in Button Bay, Churchill. Water clear and pristine. Katie de Meulles photo.
Polar bear swimming in the bay near Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
Close up of a polar bear swimming in the bay around Churchill. Katie de Meulles photo.
Polar bear resting on the rocks on Eskimo Point. Katie de Meulles photo.
Button Bay is the secluded little cove just around Eskimo Point where Fort Prince of Wales rests as the iconic outpost of the long-lost fur trade in the north. The rocks of Eskimo Point are resting areas for polar bears seeking some quiet and solitude during the summer months. Quite often groups of travelers can see and photograph polar bears on these rocky shores. These shots by Churchill photographer Katie de Meulles were captured this week and show the happenings around Button Bay.
