POLAR BEARS OF SEAL RIVER LODGE
Polar bears are among my favourite subjects, and I have spent a lot of time photographing them. Unlike most photographers of the bears, I have done most of my shooting from ground level. All of the photos in this gallery were done through Seal River Heritage Lodge run by Churchill Wild. The bears in fireweed were done from a camp set up on a small island off the coast of Hudson Bay well north of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.
The winter bears were shot at Seal River Lodge, which runs polar bear viewing camps for a variety of guests during parts of October and November each year. It is a place I have visited often in summer, but winter is truly spectacular there. The repeating tides cover the rocky coastal landscape as winter approaches with a surreal coating of ice that is breath-taking at times. Add fog and early winter storms to the mix, and the wildlife photo opportunities are nothing short of incredible. Clear sunrise mornings are okay too!
Although this gallery features only the bears of 2008, the arctic foxes, caribou, and northern lights would probably make the trip worthwhile in their own right. I would rate this location well ahead of a Churchill-only trip if you want a truly remarkable wildlife experience away from all the trappings of town, except for a comfortable bed and fabulous food!
Polar bears are among my favourite subjects, and I have spent a lot of time photographing them. Unlike most photographers of the bears, I have done most of my shooting from ground level. All of the photos in this gallery were done through Seal River Heritage Lodge run by Churchill Wild. The bears in fireweed were done from a camp set up on a small island off the coast of Hudson Bay well north of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.
The winter bears were shot at Seal River Lodge, which runs polar bear viewing camps for a variety of guests during parts of October and November each year. It is a place I have visited often in summer, but winter is truly spectacular there. The repeating tides cover the rocky coastal landscape as winter approaches with a surreal coating of ice that is breath-taking at times. Add fog and early winter storms to the mix, and the wildlife photo opportunities are nothing short of incredible. Clear sunrise mornings are okay too!
Although this gallery features only the bears of 2008, the arctic foxes, caribou, and northern lights would probably make the trip worthwhile in their own right. I would rate this location well ahead of a Churchill-only trip if you want a truly remarkable wildlife experience away from all the trappings of town, except for a comfortable bed and fabulous food!
POLAR BEAR ON SEA ICE
Polar Bear (Ursa maritimus) on sea ice off the sub-arctic coast of Hudson Bay, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Bears come to the coast of Hudson Bay in Fall waiting for the ice to freeze, and looking for a careless seal or for a dead whale to wash up. Global warming has shortened their winter so they are increasingly anxious as they wait for winter. While they wait, they engage in frequent wrestling matches to determine a mating hierarchy for the breeding season in March and April. During this time they regularly check on the ice to see if it will carry them out to sea.
Polar Bear (Ursa maritimus) on sea ice off the sub-arctic coast of Hudson Bay, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Bears come to the coast of Hudson Bay in Fall waiting for the ice to freeze, and looking for a careless seal or for a dead whale to wash up. Global warming has shortened their winter so they are increasingly anxious as they wait for winter. While they wait, they engage in frequent wrestling matches to determine a mating hierarchy for the breeding season in March and April. During this time they regularly check on the ice to see if it will carry them out to sea.
POLAR BEAR ON SEA ICE
Polar Bear (Ursa maritimus) on sea ice off the sub-arctic coast of Hudson Bay, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Bears come to the coast of Hudson Bay in Fall waiting for the ice to freeze, and looking for a careless seal or for a dead whale to wash up. Global warming has shortened their winter so they are increasingly anxious as they wait for winter. While they wait, they engage in frequent wrestling matches to determine a mating hierarchy for the breeding season in March and April. During this time they regularly check on the ice to see if it will carry them out to sea.
Polar Bear (Ursa maritimus) on sea ice off the sub-arctic coast of Hudson Bay, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Bears come to the coast of Hudson Bay in Fall waiting for the ice to freeze, and looking for a careless seal or for a dead whale to wash up. Global warming has shortened their winter so they are increasingly anxious as they wait for winter. While they wait, they engage in frequent wrestling matches to determine a mating hierarchy for the breeding season in March and April. During this time they regularly check on the ice to see if it will carry them out to sea.
Camera: Nikon Corporation (Nikon D3) |
More details: exif |
Original size: 4082px x 5400px |
Current: 227px x 300px |
filename: DRF-VW-0007 |