Polar Bears of Churchill

eenusaeenusa Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
edited February 14, 2009 in Wildlife
In November 2008, we went to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada to see polar bears in the wild. It was a terrific experience -- you can find the full story in my blog, starting with this entry:

We opted to stay at the Tundra Buggy Lodge ... rustic accommodations to say the least, but it was so worth it. Here's a glimpse of the TBL on our only really sunny day - note the visitor in the lower left corner.

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We had fantastic bear viewing - not only at the TBL, but when we went on the tundra in search of the bears. Being curious by nature, the bears came right up to us -- the whole experience was better than I ever imagined it would be.

Here's one of the bears checking out the second bunkhouse at the TBL.

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And here are a couple of bears from our days on the tundra.

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If you'd like to see more photos from our trip, check out the Eismeisters of Churchill gallery. Forgive my journalistic style ... which means, lots of photos.
http://eenusa.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    What an excellent adventure and images ylsuper.gif

    very envious to say the least :wow thumb.gif
    Benjamin
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  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Very cool thumb.gif Nice images. And ya can never have too many pictures clap.gif
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2009
    What a cool experience...no pun intended. :D I love those last three images. Great job handling the exposure with all that white.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • aj986saj986s Registered Users Posts: 1,100 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2009
    Wow.....what an amazing tourist destination! Great photos! Does the TBL move around on a regular basis, kinda like a cruise ship?
    Tony P.
    Canon 50D, 30D and Digital Rebel (plus some old friends - FTB and AE1)
    Long-time amateur.....wishing for more time to play
    Autocross and Track junkie
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  • eenusaeenusa Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2009
    aj986s wrote:
    Wow.....what an amazing tourist destination! Great photos! Does the TBL move around on a regular basis, kinda like a cruise ship?

    The TBL is set up at Polar Bear Point (not far from Gordon Point, an area known for bears congregating while they wait for the freeze up) at the beginning of the season and remains there until near the end of the season when it is relocated to Cape Churchill for the final adventure. After that, it is dismantled and returned to Churchill town until the next season.
    http://eenusa.smugmug.com/
  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2009
    I can really relate to the image of the bear looking in the windows. I probably have a similar look on my face when I'm staring through the glass at the rotisserie chicken roaster in the grocery store :D
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • eenusaeenusa Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2009
    articblooms wrote:
    I can really relate to the image of the bear looking in the windows. I probably have a similar look on my face when I'm staring through the glass at the rotisserie chicken roaster in the grocery store :D

    Hubby said almost the same thing, except in his case, he related it to a dessert case in a patisserierolleyes1.gifrofl.

    Thank you all for looking and commenting.
    http://eenusa.smugmug.com/
  • chuckicechuckice Registered Users Posts: 400 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2009
    Very nice! What gear did you bring if I may ask...
    Charles
    http://www.SnortingBullPhoto.com
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/cherskowitz
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  • eenusaeenusa Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2009
    Equipment
    chuckice wrote:
    Very nice! What gear did you bring if I may ask...

    I used a Canon 40D with a 100-400L lens for most of the wildlife shots; a 20D with a Sigma 18-200 lens for the scenics. Beanbag screwed to the bottom of the lens/camera body for stability.
    http://eenusa.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2009
    Outstanding images and a hell of an opportunity.

    Great work Erin. ylsuper.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • stevehappstevehapp Registered Users Posts: 635 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2009
    wow, what a great adventure and very nice pics..

    thumb.gif
    Canon 40D, 50mm f/1.8, 400mm f/5.6L, sigma 105mm Macro.
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  • GaleGale Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2009
    Wow
    Beautiful teddy bears

    Cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Best Regards
    Gale

    www.pbase.com/techwish
  • eenusaeenusa Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2009
    Gale wrote:
    Wow
    Beautiful teddy bears

    Cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Right on both counts ... although I am sure that teddy bear look is deceptive ... we didn't give them a chance to show their predatorial side :D .
    http://eenusa.smugmug.com/
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