by Steve Selden | Nov 25, 2015 | Churchill News
A polar bear waiting patiently for the hudson Bay to freeze. Michelle Viengkone photo.
Just when you thought it was safe to walk the streets of Churchill polar bear season has reincarnated itself. Well, not quite that dramatic or mysterious, more like prevailing south winds that pushed the pack ice back into the immense Hudson Bay. This will most likely be a short – lived reprieve as the ice will surely pack in within the week. Northerly winds are forcasted. Most polar bears are already on the ice though there are some still lingering around. Manitoba Conservation statistics below show there are still 20 polar bears in the holding facility. Soon they all will be released to join the rest on the Hudson Bay ice pack. Polar bear season is not defined by travelers coming to see polar bears in their Natural Habitat but rather by when bears are able to access the winter environment in which they live and feed for survival!
Weekly Manitoba Conservation polar bear statistics. Manitoba Conservation image.
by Steve Selden | Nov 23, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Some awesome images by local photographer Alex De Vries – Magnifico in Churchill. The season has come to an end and ice covers the Hudson Bay as far as the eye can see. Polar bears have begun their winter seal hunting and will return to Churchill in the late spring.Enjoy these parting shots from polar bear season 2016!
Polar bear gazing out at the Hudson Bay. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Preparing for a polar bear lift. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Lifting off with polar bear in tow. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Heading north with polar bear in the cargo net. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures group looking on at the polar bear lift. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures group photo under the northern lights. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
The “end’ of polar bear season. Alex De Vries – Magnifico photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 22, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Polar bear season 2016 was resounding success in Churchill. The ice has formed across the Hudson Bay and polar bears have migrated to the ice surface to hunt seals and build up their fat reserves that will carry them through the year. A few bears are still lingering around Mile Five and Ladoons dogs.Once the photographers and travelers have all dispersed, the surplus meat supply will dry up as well. Soon they will make the journey to the ice as well in search of fresh seal meat.
Here are some more amazing photos from the end of this season. Enjoy!
Northern lights over Churchill. Brad Josephs photo
Polar bear eying the fans. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear on the frozen tundra. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures group in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Polar bear family in Churchill. Katie De Meulles photo.
Churchill sled dog. Brad Josephs photo.
Dog sledding in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 17, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Polar bear season is finishing strong this year with almost no threat of early ice forming in the Hudson Bay. Polar bears will be here for the duration and maybe even a bit after all travelers have returned back home. This epic polar bear season has provided many thrills and they keep coming. These fine images by Natural Habitat Adventures guide Drew Hamilton are some of the best of the season. It’s hard to believe the six week journey is coming to a close. Enjoy!
Polar bear in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear sow with her two cubs walk by the Ithaca shipwreck in the Hudson Bay, Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear eye. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear sow and cubs near a polar rover in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Polar bear sow and cubs in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
Vivid sunset in Churchill. Drew Hamilton photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 13, 2015 | Tour News
A polar bear waiting patiently for the hudson Bay to freeze. Michelle Viengkone photo.
by Michelle Viengkone
Some of us practice mindfulness, while others run free-throw drills or perfect our soufflés. Nonetheless, patience is required for the task at hand and if I may add, most generously so, towards ourselves.Polar bears could teach us some lessons.
Having spent time on the tundra, what continues to strike me most has been the patience that polar bears demonstrate when waiting for the ice to form. The bears that we are fortunate enough to observe are a part of the Western Hudson Bay sub-population. These bears are forced ashore during the summer months because the Hudson Bay undergoes seasonal ice break-up. By the time November strolls along, these polar bears have already been fasting for 5 months and it is not surprising that they can be more than a little “hangry”.
The male polar bear pictured waits patiently at the base of the spit in front of the Tundra Lodge watching the ice slowly build up. Restless, he may engage in some sparring with other males to pass the time. Swatting, pushing, and lunging are all in good fun on land. But it is also not uncommon to see bears lounging around within the willows or digging shallow beds along the coast awaiting their chance to take their first steps onto ice to catch their next meal. As the bears keep an eye on the Bay and forming sea ice, we as wildlife enthusiasts must be on the lookout for the bears; eyes peeled for a yellowish rock-like critter. This can be a challenging task as we bounce along on the rover with blowing snow impairing our line of sight. However, good things come to those who wait.
The sight of one’s first polar bear is magical. I have been lucky to witness these moments play out as travelers eyes light up with excitement peering from the rover. I have overheard the sing-song chatter remarking about the size and beauty of this iconic Arctic animal. I have given gentle reminders to pause the snapping of photos and have encouraged the simple act of watching the bear in that moment. Sometimes we rush through things – I know I have – paying little attention to the details, getting muddled or bogged down. Advice from one wildlife enthusiast to another: slow it down, and soak it in. Make like a polar bear and be patient, the Arctic may surprise you.
