Churchill Polar Bears, 10th November 2016

My second and final day on the Tundra Buggy, was marked by sightings of cubs and the sparring of males, when they 'play fight' in order to practice for the more serious contents during mating season. It was spent with my friend and expert photographer Michael Ho, another regular visitor in bear season. Indeed, the Arctic may be regarded as a vast wilderness, but the few human settlements are small, so one of the joys of visiting is reacquainting myself with locals and fellow visitors.

Churchill 2016 Contents
6th November
7th November
8th November
9th November
10th November
11th November
12th November
13th November

Churchill Polar Bears, 9th November 2016

This was a day of relatively few, but magical sightings of bears. Alas, almost all of the remaining snow had melted, the first time I have experienced such warm conditions in my seven years of travelling to Churchill in November. Polar bears aren't adapted to such warm conditions, and are often less active, resting to conserve their energy.

Churchill 2016 Contents
6th November
7th November
8th November
9th November
10th November
11th November
12th November
13th November

Churchill Polar Bears, 8th November 2016

Capturing images of polar bears outside the confines of 'buggy land' requires much patience. However, I believe this sequence of images of a bear by the beach demonstrates that it's possible to show the context more effectively from a viewpoint closer to their eye level. They also serve as a apt reminder that polar bears are marine animals, travelling along the shores of Hudson Bay in what has been proving a vain hope so far this year that the sea ice will form, giving them the habitat they need to feed.

Churchill 2016 Contents
6th November
7th November
8th November
9th November
10th November
11th November
12th November
13th November