by Steve Selden | Nov 19, 2010 | Tour News
A partly cloudy morning gave way to bright sunshine in the early afternoon while temperatures stayed below zero. Wind chills were recorded at about -24F. Ice continues to form at a rapid pace allowing polar bears freedom to test the land-fast ice building along the coast. All the fresh water pouring from the Churchill and Seal River’s freezes rapidly when dumped into the bay. Huge ice chunks forming mini bergs in the rivers are ferried out when the tide turns.. creating a log jam along the coast. Water between the chunks freezes and binds them together initiating a patchwork -like platform extending into the Hudson Bay.
Travelers with Guide Scott witnessed this happening early in the day as they moved toward the coast in the CWMA. On the way a lone male passed by as they traveled the inland road toward Halfway Point. Two arctic foxes frenetically searched for lemmings, noses to tundra, all around the parked rover. Scanning the coastal tidal zone out past the point, the group viewed many bears tentatively stepping on the freshly formed surface. One stubborn bruin moved with reckless abandon and continually plunged through ice into the icy water. I have seen this before myself….incredibly mesmerizing to watch. Goose bumps every time the bear crashes through.
Later in the morning the bears began moving inland from the coast. As Scott’s folks enjoyed some coffee close to the tundra lodge, a couple of younger bears were near the rover curious though tentative. Just about noon many big males wandered into the area, pushing each other around with dominance tests. A couple of scrappy three and a half year old bears herded each other around under the lodge. These 700lb scarred males were growling incessantly while they kicked at and chased each other back and forth from the position underneath. One of the big boys came up to the rover and stood up to just under the back railing around the deck Scott kept an eye on his travelers ..not allowing them too close to the rail. Bears love finger food.
Photo: Paul Brown
As the afternoon continued, a group of five large males gathered in the distance by some willows and began to play-fight. They were paired off now just 10-15 meters off the back grate as the rover was able to position more closely. At times the sparring got pretty serious with hard, aggressive shoves into each others’ chest. The action there was accentuated by full light from the emerging sun and a good three hours of amazing viewing was enjoyed by all.
Leaving the tundra the group could see more bears out along the ice edge again this time bathed in the orange glow of another amazing sunset.
Guide Leah, out and about on the tundra with her group, sighted a few bears but most were resting in and around the willows against the lakes in the snow drifts. They also were noticing numerous bears along the coast testing the ice surface.
As we know the seal population has been doing strange things this season. Aside from stranding themselves in the intertidal zone at low tide earlier in the season, one bearded seal was found about two miles inland wandering along down an access road.
Some exciting information related to these occurrences has come to light. Orca whales (killer whales) have been seen recently in the bay; possibly accounting for the strange suicidal seals on land. Having guided 11 seasons of Churchill Summer whale tours, I have only heard rumors of one other Summer sighting of orca’s in the bay and never of any Fall sightings. . Exciting news indeed.
Guide Brent and his band of photographers were having a great day on the land. First thing out from launch they had an incredible photo opportunity as a large bear burst out of self -constructed snow cave in a huge drift of snow just by the side of the trail. The bruin rose up, wandered a bit , then returned to the cave and reclined facing out with crossed paws. I think there actually was some drooling going on aboard the rover.
The remainder of the day was all gravy after this experience and with the fantastic light the gravy was pretty tasty. Getting images of bears along the coast testing their footing highlighted by all the patterns and blues and gray’s of the snow -covered tundra all made for another successful session.
The bright orange sun globe melted into the horizon as polar bears continued to roam the coast with intensified expectations….seals oh seals where are you today?
by Steve Selden | Nov 18, 2010 | Tour News
The predicted blizzard never really materialized though some light snow fell during the day. Frigid temperatures crept in to the region as the mercury dropped to -15 to -20c with the wind chill at -34c. With this trend predicted to continue it should allay some of the panic of those speculating that the polar bears are in grave danger do to late freeze up of the Hudson Bay. True story according to the Canadian Ice Service, a division of Environment Canada. Ice formation in the Hudson Bay is about three to four weeks behind schedule due to higher temperatures. This year is the lowest ice level since 1971 although over the last five to six years the level is “not significantly different” according to Canadian Ice Service forecaster Luc Desjardins. The difference this season has been the higher temperatures. In Nunavut’s Foxe Basin to the North the air temperature is 14 degrees above normal and overall the temperature in the Bay itself is 4 degrees above normal. Funny how those darn air temperatures affect ice formation….genius.
Don’t despair just yet. Do know that the average freeze -up in the Hudson Bay comes on November 25. That being the water from Seal River along the coast to York Factory being 50% ice-covered as viewed via satellite. And yes, this year being good deal behind that schedule, ice can form quite quickly with prolonged intense cold. Of the 12 plus years I have been working in Churchill, the fear at this time of year has been ,by and large, of an early freeze-up before all scheduled travelers were able to see the polar bears before the bears journeyed to the ice in search of seals. Each year can be different and we will surely keep an eye on the ice formation in the next few weeks and keep you informed. For now the good news is that a recent survey of 333 bears along the Western Hudson Bay has them in relatively good condition…let’s hope they stay that way until the ice forms.
Due to the frigid cold, wildlife sightings dropped off on the land. In the CWMA, guide Melissa and group struggled to find much animal action from their heated rover. Polar bears hunkered down in the willows seeking shelter from the frosty, biting wind. Even a few ptarmigan were seen burying themselves in snowdrifts to keep warm and away from stinging ice crystals blowing across the tundra. A lone bear was spotted crossing an icy thermakarst ..then lying down and rolling a bit before continuing on toward shelter. Still..the arctic feel is quite an experience to behold.
Guide Scott and group had a similar day as they perused the tundra. The weather itself can be quite scintillating if looked at the right way. Scott summed up the polar bear mentality quite nicely by stating; “If I was a polar bear I’d be sitting in the willows as well”. Well said.
Guide Brent, with his photo group, found the weather to be an opportunity for some rather unique images. Photographers do have the unique ability to see beauty in just about any kind of environmental conditions. Moving away from launch in the CWMA, the group did sight a couple of ghost-like bears moving in the distance. As they neared the bay, the predominant feature presenting itself was the ice forming almost before their eyes over a short period of time. One could actually notice the grease ice thickening and the slush ice coagulating throughout the day. This black ice phenomenon happens at a rapid pace and if the temperatures remain this low, sheet ice will follow.
The excitement of the day for the group came when they witnessed a sow with a three -year old cub charge a young male out on some pond ice…chasing him off at least four times. The male looked to be near the same age and Brent and his rover driver Rick were thinking that he could possibly be her other cub that she was attempting to wean in order to care more efficiently for the other one. Pretty interesting behavior not seen very often.
Passing by the tundra lodge on the way to Christmas Lake esker, two bears were camped out in a snowdrift. When the rover rumbled up close, the two rose, shook the snow from their heavy fur and moved around a bit..then back to cover out of the wind. Out along the rise of the esker, the photographers clicked away at the snow -blasted spruce forest as the unique patterns of the drifting snow were endless. A raven solemnly watched from the shelter of a thick spruce as the rover passed by. Forever more.
Low visibility from blowing snow crystals eliminated any sense of horizon and the scale of ghost rovers appearing out of the haze threw off one’s perspective. Sometimes they appeared as huge machines and other times quite small…a moon-like scene.
As the group made the trip back to launch, a beautiful sunset filtered through the blowing curtain of snow and ice crystals. The concentric rings of what looked like a giant orange jaw breaker gave the snow a blue tinge and highlighted the flag-like spruce trees. A warm glow in the frigid twilight of the North.
by Steve Selden | Nov 17, 2010 | Tour News
On a beautiful, calm day the sun struggled to come out…then finally relented as the temperatures dropped from -5c to -15c throughout the day and the wind started slowly and blowing ground snow signaled the start of another incoming storm predicted for later this evening.
Guide Amy and group enjoyed their last day on the tundra and came away feeling elated from the experience. Most of their time was spent near the tundra lodge where a sow with two coy’s were watched for awhile and three males playfully spent an hour around the rover. Not really sparring – they were just rolling around on the tundra like kittens….very big, very dangerous kittens…that could kill a human. Lasting photos, videos and memories were made here.
Photo: Paul Brown
On the way back to launch the group stopped by Bird Cove. They discovered one young polar bear on the leeward side of the rocky ridge, burrowed in, slowly being covered with snow. Watching this incredibly strong, dangerous animal lying under the soft, falling snow is quite the sight.
Half a mile from the launch the group got their first look at a flock of ptarmigan with their stunning white coats against the equally stunning white snow covering the tundra.
Photo: Paul Brown
Meanwhile guide Leah, off the tundra lodge for the first time this season, had her band of travelers out between Gordon Point and first tower. Several sub-adult males approached the rover and curiously sniffed footwear through the grated back observation deck. At Gordon Point, an arctic fox hunkered down on the coastline oblivious to the photographs being taken. Grease ice starting to form in the inlets stretches away in the background.
Guide Karen and group started their day witnessing a bear lift out at the Polar Bear Compound by the airport. A sow with two yearlings, totaling 800lbs, were placed in three separate cargo nets and taken to the North for release. One of the last lifts of the season most likely as the freeze should come fairly quickly now.
Later, the group boarded a few of Hudson Bay Helicopters finest machines and headed out on their own excursion ultimately to land at a polar bear den. Heading North at the outset of the flight, the group flew over Button Bay just North of the Churchill River. They could clearly see at least five seal -kill areas- most on the intertidal ice and one closer inland near the spruce forested area. Further evidence of a season to remember by a marked increase of polar bear seal -kills. A mother nursing a cub along the treeline was another highlight of this view.
Photo: Paul Brown
As the choppers headed to the Southeast over the weir and along the Deer River, they caught glimpses of two recently used polar bear dens as they headed toward another vacant den. The high eroded banks of the Deer River exposed the layers of sphagnum moss …a light brownish color. Two large bull moose close to the river paid no attention to the onlookers going about their business of foraging. A mom and calf were also seen in the willows…disguising their frames somewhat.
On the ground at the now vacant den, the group felt the damp moss that formed the ceiling and spent time crawling inside the semi-circular den for a photo or two. One can see how the snow help completes a safe shelter in which to ride out the long, cold Winter. Foraging a bit under the snow -covered tundra, the travelers were able to discover some of the plants, now dormant, that comprise the fragile ecosystem of the Northern tundra. Cranberry and crowberry plants as well as Labrador tea and caribou lichen hide beneath the snow only to surface again next Spring.
On the way back into Churchill, the flight took them over Cape Churchill where about 17 bears were visible and then over Knights Hill esker rising from the land. Following the coast, over the Ithaca shipwreck and then touching down back in town the group ended a flight to remember forever.
Out in the CWMA, Guide Scott and group were enjoying a remarkable day indeed. On their way out to Halfway point in the morning, a polar bear greeted them and walked right by their polar rover. Once they arrived at the point, they came upon an arctic fox curled up in a ball nestled in the rocks just 10 meters off. With the cold, he had his nose tucked in tight under his furry coat. In the distant tidal zone, a few polar bears wandered at the edge inspecting the border of the slowly forming ice.
Photo: Curtis Bouvier.
As the rover fired up and headed out, a sow with two cubs was sighted heading in from the rocky point jutting into the bay. The family was heading directly toward the rover before they were headed off by a large male pushing them farther to the East. Subsequently, the male then made his way to the rover to see what was going on with the even more curious band of travelers.
As the group headed toward the lodge along the ridge which extended into the bay, they saw a sow with two cubs napping in a fairly inaccessible location across a frozen lake. As luck would have it however the contingent found another sow with two coy’s deep in the willows just 500 yards South of the water crossing to the lodge. A good place for lunch as they camped there for about two hours observing the family unit only 20 meters off the deck in this secluded location. The cubs periodically lifted their heads and climbed atop mom while slumbering the afternoon away.
As the cold crept in throughout the afternoon, the group was able to observe some sparring as well as they stayed near the sow and cubs. Spotting scope looks of three sets of distant sparring males made for excellent contrasting behavior from the napping bears at hand. With the looming storm , this certainly was a great day on the land.
by Steve Selden | Nov 17, 2010 | Tour News
Light snow fell under gray skies continually over the course of the day and temperatures stayed just below the freezing mark providing ultimate conditions for wildlife viewing. A little slush ice from the earlier milder temperatures remained on some of the pond surfaces and the land -fast ice in the bay still only extended at most a quarter mile into the Hudson Bay.
Guide Melissa and her group had a wild start to the day out on the land, at Halfway Point with a huge male polar bear standing up against their rover coming just under the back deck railing. there have been some long and strong big male bears all over the tundra this season ….greater in numbers than in years past.
Photo: Paul Brown
Also out at Halfway, there were a number of bears scattered around and evidence of the prior day’s seal kill with sightings of red stained snow. This also quite possibly was a different seal kill as the location was not exactly near the other reported spot. Not so crazy this year.
At the tundra lodge, sows with cubs were the main attraction spread throughout the area in snow and willows. One curious cub, testing his mom’s weary eye, maneuvered over to the group’s rover for an inspection. Mom stayed close and watched intently. Many interactions were occurring though not many of the bigger males that were previously staking their claim to the territory were present. maybe they wandered out to the seal kills and were exerting their dominance for fresh meat. A lone arctic fox way out across a large lake near the lodge was a lasting image as the group headed in for the day.
Guide Karen had her contingent of eager travelers out at the tundra lodge early and had between 20-30 polar bear sightings over the day. every possible interaction was witnessed as bears underneath and up on the side of the rover awed the group. At one point while parked near the lodge, they had 11 bears in a panoramic view. A little later territorial testing continued as a male chased away two bigger males then a young small female, about five years old, somehow found the nerve to push a big male out of bounds towards the willows.
As the action continued then calmed slightly, an arctic fox appeared then ran through the grounds off to the Northern point extending out to the bay.
Photo: Curtis Bouvier
As the rover was now positioned on the front side of the lodge, half the group was inside the warm confines of the machine and the other half on the back deck. That’s when the action of the day happened. As a sow with her two yearling cubs rested near the willows of the backside of the lodge just near the lounge car, another sow with her two coy’s approached. Without much provocation the yearling’s mom went after one of the coy’s. The incited coy’s mom then retaliated by jumping onto the yearling’s mom. As the growling emanated from the wrestling match, some nearby adult males were hoping to take advantage of the situation…possibly seeing leeway to attack a cub. No such luck…soon the two sows separated and got back to their motherly duties sensing the danger from the males lurking in the area.
Photo: Curtis Bouvier
Photo: Curtis Bouvier
The rest of the afternoon was enjoyed with excellent views of sparring males around the willows and ponds in the direction of the Hudson Bay. Groups of five or six males would take take turns whacking at each other and wrestling matches would take place with a pair rolling on the ground. As the rover pulled away to head back in, a pair of sub-adult males sparred in the distance atop the frozen surface of a glowing, windswept thermakarst. Training on the tundra never stops.
Photo: Curtis Bouvier
by Steve Selden | Nov 16, 2010 | Tour News
Weather-wise it was an awesome day in the Churchill region as cool light breeze pervaded under dark luminous clouds. The Hudson Bay seemed ominous under gunmetal gray calm water as Fall seems perched firmly on Winter’s icy doorstep.
Photo: Paul Brown
With the sun setting about 4 pm now not much light remained for guide Amy and her travelers’ night rover tour to the tundra. However, the silhouettes of three bears crossing a frozen thermakarst just a half hour from launch was enough to heighten the group’s excitement for the coming days. Unable to capture the animals with photographs due to lack of light, binoculars were the next best thing….freezing the images in the mind forever. Then, one of the bears caught sight or maybe smell of the rover and diverted from the others and headed directly toward the machine. In about seven minutes he was under the back deck greeting the newly arrived guests…all eyes looking down at him through the grated platform and he sniffing curiously at boots. He seemed content to stay until the rover started up and moved away to give the two other rovers behind a chance for similar interactions.
Out around the lodge for an evening meal and drinks, there were polar bears all around the lodge area….Amy’s group counted at least ten. The highlight of the night was a big male approaching their rover and hopping up to take a closer look through a window and the guest looking back out the window into the bear’s big, black eyes. Not a bad start to the trip.
Photo: Paul Brown
Guide Karen and travelers arrived in Churchill and on the way from the airport back into town they took the coast road. A great view of a red fox and a jet black fox in the rocks framing the Hudson Bay behind was quite a start to their adventure.
On the evening tour of the tundra in the CWMA, Karen’s rover was third in line waiting to get closer to the aforementioned polar bear that was under Amy’s rover. When the next rover pulled up, the bear seemed to really take a liking to that one. As the second rover pulled off, the bear began loping after it with its’ legs swinging out slightly as he ran for a good several hundred yards…… keeping up a very good pace following the back of the rover. Pretty unusual behavior…must have smelled something pretty good on that machine. Finally, the bruin stopped and headed under the back deck of their machine. The entire group of ten was out on the back deck in a circle all watching the bear through the grate in the middle. Then he followed their rover for a good distance as well as they headed in the direction of the tundra lodge.
At the lodge, there around seven bears of which a couple were quite large. Numerous interactions were observed between bears under the lodge kitchen and as they moved in and out of the area some came quite close to their rover in the darkening twilight. Some of the guests were lucky to catch a fleeting look a at an arctic fox scurrying off into the willows and another few heard bears growling as they were competing for positions around the lodge. Ample energy in a small area.
Photo: Paul Brown
Aside from a good day of diverse bear interactions, Guide Eric and his enthusiastic photo group were quite fortunate to be out at Halfway Point and see six polar bears around a seal kill by the Hudson Bay. With very good light to highlight the scene, shutters clicked at fever pace to record a rare meal shared by the bears at this time of year. This seal was spotted last night in the tidal zone by Guide Paul and group as they came into the area. Dubious thoughts regarding the seal’s survival were passed on to Eric and sure enough the omen proved true. What the bears didn’t get was picked at and carried off by a group of opportunistic ravens.
Later on the enduring incredible light continued as the group found an arctic fox at close range. A good part of the remainder of the day was spent with a sow and coy which also presented some fantastic chances for unique photographs and family interaction observation.
by Steve Selden | Nov 14, 2010 | Tour News
On a beautiful clear day in the Churchill region, a few scattered clouds drifted across the Hudson Bay. Temperatures remained below freezing providing ultimate weather for arctic wildlife movement on the tundra. The shore ice is just starting to form, about five feet off the coast, and polar bears continue to anticipate a freeze that may not come too soon. 
Guides Bonnie and Colby arrived in Churchill with the new tundra lodge group and before they traveled just five minutes down the trail, they were seeing at least five polar bears including a sow with two cubs off in a snow-blown willow stand, a very large male patrolling the tundra perhaps looking to scrap with another male, and another couple of smaller males wandering the land. As the group settled in at the lodge they were witnesses to more sparring and some bears off along the coast inspecting the meager ice formation. The waiting is the hardest part.
Guide Sue was also out on the land yesterday with her group of travelers and before they even got to launch they were lucky to catch a fleeting glimpse of a snowy owl up on the rise near the old radar domes halfway between town and launch. One of the only sightings this season came as the sun rose above the frosty tundra to the East illuminating the coastal rises with hues of pinkish red.
Aboard their rover the group made way out to Halfway Point. About halfway to Half way Point,…would that be Quarter Point?…they encountered a pretty unique sighting. Two young, sub – adult bears were close to the coast and sharing the remains of what appeared to be a beluga whale skeletal carcass. This area of beach has always been a prime area for beluga carcass finds. Over my dozen years of guiding Churchill Summer groups, we would make frequent treks along this beach area to search out a beluga skeletal carcass nestled in the tall sea grasses and almost always find one. These two bruins were enjoying gnawing on any remaining meat and most likely getting a little calcium nourishment as well. Very cool sighting.
At Halfway point, the elusive blue phase arctic fox kept the groups string of luck going strong. Winding through the snowy tundra the blueish tint of the coat definitely catches one’s eye as the fox is focused on trying to catch lemmings.
With all these early sightings under their belt, Sue then had her rover positioned near the tundra lodge where “huge” interactions were occurring in multiple directions. Just 200 yards from the lodge to the Southwest, two sub-adults-about four to six years of age- were rolling in the snow and play-fighting with one another. The snow surely provides a comfortable, cushioning blanket for the two to enjoy the scrap. A curious arctic fox wandered nearby unwilling to join the fray.
Overall there seemed to be groups of four or five sub-adult male bears interacting with two bears confronting each other while the others observed. And, about a quarter mile from the lodge, a sow with two cubs walked together across the icy lake surface. The family seemed to be mom with a male cub that was a little larger than his sister trailing behind. A nice way to conclude a satisfying day in the North.
