To say one is in awe when they stand in the presence of a polar bear is an understatement. Camouflaged amidst the icy rocks and shoreline, the polar bear roams at this time anxiously awaiting the ice that will soon blanket the surface of the water.
Such was the scene my husband and I witnessed recently on the shores of Hudson Bay. This is the home of the most southern population of polar bears.
We travelled to Winnipeg, then north to Churchill. From there our group took a helicopter north to our destination — Seal River Heritage Lodge. Along the shoreline we saw wolves on a fresh moose kill.
Arriving at our destination, we anxiously waited for the rest of our group and the opportunity to see polar bears in their natural habitat and to hopefully capture these creatures on camera.
Within an hour we were treated with a visit from a polar bear. Majestic in size, this creature lumbered along the rocks biding its time waiting for the ice to form and the long awaited treat of seal meat once again. Even though the polar bear has not eaten fat-laden seal meat since it swam ashore (some as much as 100 km) at the beginning of summer, this population looked extremely healthy.
Seal River Heritage Lodge is owned and operated by Jeanne and Mike Reimer. Unique in its approach, guests walk outside on foot in the polar bears’ habitat. This is not a tundra buggy event, but a fabulous opportunity to observe, learn and photograph polar bears and other creatures that share this habitat.
People travel from all over the world to see our largest land carnivore. Accompanied by two guides, our group headed out with camera and tripod in hand in the realm of polar bears. The guides are knowledgeable in polar bear behaviour and are always on alert.
Respect is foremost — it is the land of the polar bears and we are the guests. To date, the shotguns carried by the guides have never been used. Instead, voice, banging rocks, clapping hands and snowballs are the preferential deterrent if a polar bear gets too curious. Curious males and cubs did exactly that and we witnessed the expertise and gentle rapport the guides have with the passing polar bears.
We were able to witness the maternal bond of a mother and her cub, the towering figure of a polar bear on its hind legs, the peaceful, gentle poise of a resting polar bear and the powerful display of protection of a mother chasing off a male. It was remarkable to watch these creatures disappear into a willow thicket and blend in amongst the icy shoreline.
Bears sleep and prowl along the coastline from July through to the end of November where the journey out onto the ice begins again.
Their keen sense of smell aids in their hunt for seals while on the ice.
The southwestern region of Hudson Bay has typically been the launching point for the bears’ migration to their hunting grounds.
However, it would seem changes are occurring for this traditional area due to numerous factors.
We can only hope once again next summer these polar bears will swim ashore to Hudson Bay and the surrounding arctic shorelines.
Dale Barker-Pattillo, owner of The Front Room, will present a photo display of her trip to Churchill, Man. in December at Addie’s located at 420 First St. West.
