This last week provided challenges due to continued record-breaking temperatures in the North. It is mid November and there is no ice buildup yet, and the bears are noticeably less active in these unusually high temperatures. We did, however, have one of the most memorable afternoons in my 13 years of guiding Churchill polar bear trips, as we just parked next to a couple of sleeping males and watched the show come to us. In my nearly 20 years of guiding wildlife expeditions I have learned that patience is one of the most valuable tools that I utilize. Here is a summary of 3 hours waiting for action to happen, and the images that patience produced.
As a guide it can sometimes be difficult getting a group to be patient and wait for action to come to them instead of actively searching. Luckily this group was excellent, understood our strategy, trusted us, and were very happy when we were rewarded. These are some of my favorite images I have taken this season so far, and some of the most unique that I have ever gotten in 13 years. The weather is finally getting colder up in Churchill and I have one more photo trip left. I can’t wait to get back up there and see what we see!
4 Comments
Great photos. The paws are so large, amazing. The fox and owl are so beautifully white. Loved them all.
Thanks for the update & the fabulous photos. Patience is a virtue we should all cultivate, especially when you sign on for a wildlife adventure. The bears are what we want to see, but on a slow, windy, grey afternoon waiting, I got some wonderful photos of the tundra landscape & a real sense of winter’s sometimes bleak majesty.
Dear Brad
thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. We have wonderful memories of the trip with you during the first week of November this year. Best wishes
The photos are great. Thanks for that, it made me more aware of the wonders we saw so recently. I wish the bears the best and keep trying to do more to help the earth.