So I started this new addition to my newsletter, but figured I would add it here for our website visitors as well. This is insights to up coming trips with my thoughts on them, why I chose this particular expedition, and what people can expect from it, if they join us out there.
This week’s featured trip is our polar bear photography expedition off Churchill, Canada. Now I know I say photography trip, and it really is designed as a shooters trip, but wildlife enthusiasts, with iphones, for cameras, will love this trip as well. The reason I say it is designed as a photographer’s trip is because it is a very small group trip, like a maximum 4 people on this trip. We will be traveling in a private vehicle, so that when a bear is spotted, we will be able to get out of the vehicle for opportunities to set up shots. Either getting down low to the ground, to snap some images, or using tri-pods. And because it is our trip, we will be able to stay as long as we would like with an individual animal.
Of course respect, and safety is everything when it comes to these types of expeditions, for both the animal’s welfare and our own. We will have licensed guides with us, and they will have a rifle with them, which is for peace of mind, and they are required by law to carry one, for emergencies. But chances of them ever needing to use the gun, even a warning shot in the air is pretty much zero.
This one is a big trip for us, and I am super fired up about it, because of the opportunity to get close to the bears at ground level. I have never been thrilled about being up high in a tundra buggy, or on a ship, looking down on a bear as it is walking around. I would much rather be at ground level, looking at them, eye to eye, or up at the bear as it walks around in its natural habitat.
I have photographed and seen polar bears in Churchill during the summer months when they are there hunting belugas, or hanging around the area, waiting for winter to return. Seeing bears during this time of year is special, but it is not the same as seeing them during the winter season, with snow all around. THAT is what I am hoping for all of us to see - a polar bear in it’s element, with snow blanketing the tundra, as far as the eye can see. To catch them in the snow, walking, resting, playing, or with their breathe turning to smoke when they breath, would be amazing.
We are also hoping to visit and photograph the Canadian Eskimo dogs, hanging out with the polar bears. This is the area that was made famous for polar bears interacting with these dogs. The images of polar bears hugging and playing with the dogs went viral and we will visit the area where the dogs are to see if any bears are hanging around. They usually are, because they like to nibble on any left over food that the dogs leave behind.
Churchill is an amazing place and the opportunities to photograph other types of wildlife is really high, including; red foxes, arctic foxes, caribou, snowy owls, arctic hares and diverse bird species. Ok, I admit, I am just as fired up about seeing the other wildlife here, as much as I am about the polar bears - especially the arctic foxes. This iconic fox is really HIGH on my must see list of animals. I have photographed them before, but during the summer months, when they were wearing their summer coat. To see an arctic fox with that beautiful white fur, in the snow, is a dream come true.
Another exciting opportunity here is photographing the Northern Lights. This is a great area for setting up your camera on a tripod to snap images of the auroras. We have always had good luck snapping images of the lights during the summer months. But the auroras in the winter season are so much better. Looking forward to seeing the lights again, when and if we get the chance. I say if, because we still need clear skies for a chance at photographing them.
So there it is, hoping this helps anyone that may be interested in joining us on this particular expedition, if you do… check out the trip page, send us an email, or give me a call on my cell, I would be happy to chat with you about it (956) 279-8119.
Thank you for reading guys.