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!