Polar Bears of Churchill

Greetings,

Hope you’re doing well and enjoying the final days of Fall. Technically Winter doesn’t begin for another month but we’ve already experienced a number of “icy” days. This year I’m ready for it though, partly because of recently spending five days just below the Arctic Circle in Churchill, Canada; Ed and I traveled there the beginning of November, Susan stayed home with the kids. We went to primarily observe polar bears (and were not disappointed) but also to learn about this small port town near the Arctic Ocean and its earliest inhabitants, the Inuit people (once referred to as Eskimos). We traveled with Natural Habitat Adventures (Nat Hab). (Susan and I traveled to the Galapagos Islands with Nat Hab and highly recommend this travel organization based in Boulder, Colorado; they have a long history of organizing tours to the Galapagos and Churchill.) With Nat Hab we spent a few days roaming the snow covered and ice forming edge of Hudson Bay in custom-designed Polar Rovers (photo provided below). Once the ice hardens, polar bears depart the area until Fall so the viewing season is short. We experienced a variety of severe weather conditions (mostly cold and wind) but enjoyed a few hours of calm and sun. In addition to spending time viewing polar bears, we saw a few other animals, visited town (museum, shops and restaurants), flew over the tundra in a helicopter, and ate some delicious seafood; we also spent a few days in Winnipeg. Another grand adventure! Below are a few photos.  

Polar bear, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Inukshuk (Inuit Stone Landmark) – Churchill, Canada

Wind blown trees near Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Female polar bear walking, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Adult male polar bears play fighting, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Adult male polar bears play fighting, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Adult male polar bears play fighting, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Adult male polar bears play fighting, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Adult male polar bears play fighting, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Polar bear resting, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Great White Bear Tundra Lodge, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Ed in front of Polar Rover near Churchill, Canada

Ed and Michael in front of Polar Rover near Churchill, Canada

White-tailed ptarmigan, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada

Red fox near Churchill, Canada

Inukshuk (Inuit Stone Landmark) – Churchill, Canada

Rising moon, edge of Hudson Bay – Churchill, Canada