by Steve Selden | Aug 14, 2014 | Tour News
Natural Habitat guide Stephanie Fernandez has had a busy Arctic summer in Churchill. These recent photos portray an amazing July and August full of wildlife, wildflowers and tundra life. The next couple of weeks will show a subtle transition toward fall as the land begins to paint itself in more earthen colors signaling the onset of the wild winter ahead. Nothing matches the liveliness of Churchill in summertime….a naturalists and explorers dreamworld!
Sow and cub resting peacefully on the precambrian shield. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Natural Habitat travelers on the beach facing the Hudson Bay. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Churchill River weir observation tower. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Cross fox on glacial till along the beach. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
A Natural Habitat traveler tries her hand at driving the polar rover. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Sunset over the Hudson Bay. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Rare photo of a polar bear swimming. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
A beluga attracted to the bubbles and vibration of the zodiac motor. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Belugas at the back of the zodiac. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
Arctic wildflowers with precambrian shield lying beyond. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
The beluga’s melon is used for echolocation. Stephanie Fernandez photo.
by Steve Selden | Mar 27, 2014 | Tour News
Natural Habitat travelers in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
Covered. Photo Brad Josephs.
Crossing tundra. Photo Brad Josephs.
Northern lights above a warm van. Photo Brad Josephs.
Young and bundled. Brad Josephs photo.
Aurora boreal forest. Brad Josephs photo.
by Steve Selden | Nov 7, 2013 | Tour News
Natural habitat photography guide Colby Brokvist had polar bear action right out of the gate for his avid group of image takers. A sow with her coy were found out on the coast road ambling along the magnificent Hudson Bay. Cameras heated as shutters fired away at the majestic pair amidst frosty conditions.
The following three days on the tundra of the
Churchill Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) were nearly perfect wildlife and weather-wise. The travelers, aboard their polar rover spent their entire first day near the lodge with several polar bears. Highlighting the afternoon were some big males sparring in the snow.
Polar bear near the Tundra Lodge. Colby Brokvist photo.
The following day was “awesome”, according to Colby. The group reached Gordon Point by early morning and quickly spotted two fairly fresh seal kills attended to by four voracious polar bears. The bears finished their meal before low tide, though blood stains were spotted on the ice and photographs were made of
glaucous gulls, ravens and
arctic foxes cleaning up leftovers . Some close encounters further along the trail road with a couple of other bears and then a very photogenic arctic fox rounded off the day and provided some great moments for classic shots.
Historic building by the Hudson Bay. Colby Brokvist photo.
The third day out in the CWMA was equally exciting as the group headed back to the lodge. Colby received a tip that a new, larger bear had taken up residence out there. Upon arriving and finding six
polar bears the group had more than enough interactions to satisfy their passion. Three bears engaged in
heated sparring with “unbelievable light”. stated Colby. “I don’t recall ever seeing sparring and sunshine at the same time …making this even more special.” Something new every day out in bear territory.
Inukshuk group photo with aurora over the bay. Colby Brokvist photo.
The group finished off the day with a long session of aurora photography at the huge, stone inukshuk behind the town complex facing the Hudson Bay. Rounding out an amazing day, the ethereal lights were perfect for the photo trip. Mild conditions added a key ingredient for a productive shoot.
Gorgeous red fox on the tundra. Colby Brokvist photo.
Finishing up the trip strong, the group enjoyed their sightseeing shuttle covereing the area around town in search of smaller critters. An extremely charismatic red fox stole the show before the crew headed out to the polar bear holding facility where they finished off with a bear evacuation lift. Captured polar bears are airlifted by helicopter up north along the bay and released to keep them free from human contact for a period of time. Quite a sight to see the event as they take off from Churchill!
by Steve Selden | Oct 24, 2013 | Tour News
- Snow, bears and lots of exciting action out on the frosty tundra in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. These photo’s from Natural Habitat guide Elise Lockton signal the beginning of the next phase of polar bear season. This action is amazing and the photo’s are some of the best in awhile! Enjoy.
by Steve Selden | Mar 25, 2013 | Tour News
The Natural Habitat northern lights trips concluded last week in Churchill but the lights shine on amidst icy temperatures..some of the coldest in years for this time of year. Guide Brad Josephs lead photography tours around the area in search of amazing shots….he found them along with a touch of frostbite in the extreme temperatures. Luckily the warmer southern air of Colorado cured him and no body parts were lost. He’s safely back in Alaska ready for next year in the chilly Arctic. Seasoned aurora guide Karen Walker also wrapped up an incredible , and yes, cold season with memories to last a lifetime. I’m sure their groups of travelers have memories and photo’s they also will have for life as well.
Aurora shining in the Arctic sky above the boreal forest. Brad Josephs photo.
Interest in the northern lights & Arctic cultures trips has been growing yearly and increasing this past season to seven traditional and new photography trips. Despite the often uncommonly cold temperatures, travelers brave them to embrace the storied intrigue of the north. Many have ventured to Churchill previously for an up-close encounter with polar bears in the fall or a drifting in the Churchill River with Beluga whales in the summertime.
Well built inukshuk and igloo in Churchill. Karen Walker photo.
This year was amazing to say the least. Heightened solar activity has translated into more frequent scintillating auroral displays. All seven natural Habitat groups experienced the “northern lights” this year with many groups having multiple viewing experiences. Last year weather hampered the experiences of a few groups but this year has been incredible.
Photography of the northern lights has become a passion in the north. Brad Josephs photo.
Swirling aurora over the Hudson Bay in Churchill. Brad Josephs photo.
There are few comparisons to gazing up at the sky and witnessing the aurora in all its’ splendor. Each experience can have profound affects on one’s psyche…and create memories to last forever.
