Lounging polar bear in Churchill. Dorota Walkoski photo.
A lounging polar bear plays with some kelp on the Precambrian shield by the Hudson Bay in Churchill. Bears are patiently waiting for the fall polar bear season when the Hudson Bay will slowly freeze-up and seal hunting season will begin!
Alex De Vries – Magnifico shot this video last polar bear season in Churchill with his phone camera. What an awesome look at a polar bear family descending the Precambrian Shield in Churchill. It’s somewhat rare to capture a polar bear clan on the move, especially in stormy weather. Churchill can be full of natural wonders and surprises on any given day. Enjoy!
Polar bear mother and cub this past fall in Churchill. Dorota Walkoski photo.
Polar bear season 2016 was filled with mother and cub polar bear sightings This shot by Great White Bear Tour’s Dorota Walkoski captures the loving affection of a mom and cub resting on the Precambrian shield. Every polar bear season in Churchill and come October 2017 we are sure there will be something different!
Incredible wildlife sightings and bursting wildflowers have made this an awesome Churchill Arctic Summer so far! Moira LaPatourel has been guiding Natural Habitat travelers in the Churchill region and the surprises keep coming for the groups both on the water and out on the tundra.
This magnificent common loon and chick was spotted on a thermokarst pond out by the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. These majestic and haunting birds will often circle their water surroundings and give their haunting call to announce the arrival of their offspring. Always an incredible experience to see these in the sub – Arctic.
Common loon and her chick on the water in Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
With the Cape Merry battery looming in the distance, a beluga sow and calf frolic in the Churchill River. Whale interaction has been off the charts this season with pods of belugas all over the waters surrounding Churchill. Snorkeling and kayaking have been particular highlights for groups as well this season.
Beluga whales in the Churchill River with Cape Merry in the background. Moira LaPatourel photo.
A rarely seen bald eagle made an appearance and perched atop this krumholz spruce on the open tundra. A perfect spot for eyeing lemmings scurrying across the ground.
A bald eagle perched on a spruce tree in the open tundra of Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
A group of travelers gets more of a birds – eye view from the deck of the Sea North I on the Hudson Bay. This vessel provides more of a view above the beluga whales for slightly better photo opportunities. Venturing over to Button Bay or further into the Hudson Bay is another facet this larger jet propulsion craft provides.
Viewing beluga whales in the Churchill River from the Sea North I vessel. Moira LaPatourel photo.
Natural Habitat travelers enjoy the versatility of a zodiac excursion on the Churchill River. The small craft often can cruise the coastline and discover a gem like this resting polar bear on the Precambrian shield! Seeing polar bears in Churchill Arctic summer is such an awesome experience and often more of a thrill than seeing the king of the Arctic in polar bear season!
Travelers view a polar bear from a zodiac in the Churchill River. Moira LaPatourel photo.
Fireweed has consumed the landscape at this point of the season. The purple injects a swath of color to the landscape that blends the blues of the water and rocks with the subdued earth colors of the tundra.
Fields of wildflowers across the tundra in Churchill. Moira LaPatourel photo.
Here are some follow – up images to the one published a few days ago. Katie de Meulles took these incredible shots last week along the Precambrian shield in Churchill. It’s pretty unusual to capture a red fox family like this appearing to be inquisitive with the photographer being present. We are sure happy that they hung around for a look.These are some of the best red fox shots we’ve seen in awhile.
So far this spring leading into the Churchill Arctic summer the wildlife has been better than ever we can remember here. Looking forward to another summer full of surprises in Churchill!
