Churchill Polar Bears, Guide Stories 0

Churchill 2021 Polar Bear Season Highlights 2- Mothers and Cubs

By · On December 26, 2021
Shares


A female with her cub, which will be 2 years old around Christmas, explores the coast. I chose to edit this one in black and white to add simplicity, and accentuate share and texture.

In my previous two posts I showed highlights of sparring male polar bears during our 2021 season in Churchill, which is tied with my other favorite thing to view on the shores of Hudson Bay in the fall- mothers and cubs. Here are some highlights of family moments.

A beautiful, healthy mother with her 2 year old cub takes a nap in the tundra.

Mom and cub kiss while napping in the mounds of kelp that washed up along the shoreline during the last storm.

We often wait near sleeping mother and cubs, as when they finally wake up we are rewarded with magical photo opportunities.

Mom and cub make their way over the rocks near the road between our Rover launch and town in the evening.

Napping in a beautiful wet snow squall.

This mom and two year old cub approaching us made for my first polar bear encounter of the season. What a thrill!

Mom and 2 1 year old cubs take a nap on the shore of a frozen pond. Mothers are strategic about their resting spots- usually bedding down on the shoreline with the wind blowing from the bushes, so they can smell any bears behind them, but they have a clear view of the lake downwind.

Mom and two first year cubs travel across a frozen pond.

Polar bears often overheat when traveling in temps above 15 Far. The best way to cool off is to lie on the ice.

I have lots more highlight posts from Polar bear season 2021 coming soon, stay tuned!!


Brad has been a Natural Habitat Expedition Leader since 2005, guiding Alaska grizzly bear tours, Churchill polar bear tours, northern lights expeditions and China panda tours. His specialty is bear biology and ecology of the north country.

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a reply

 

Pin It on Pinterest

Love this article?

Share it with your friends!

Shares