Travel Tales
It was fall when I saw the little town of Churchill in Manitoba, Canada, for the first time. Like most of the other visitors there at that time of year, I went to see its polar bears. That trip also marked the first time that I ever set foot outside the United States.
Conservation
Remember those cheerful Coca Cola commercials with the cute polar bears? The global soft drink company is now working to save the very environment they advertise.
Nature & Wildlife
Guide Steve Selden has been posting regularly from Churchill during polar bear season — but here is a field report from another vantage point: that of Good Nature contributor Wendy Redal, who saw the polar bears through the wide eyes of her children. I can still feel the Arctic air, sharp and clean.
Nature & Wildlife
As snow continues falling intermittently, and temperatures dropping into the teens, helicopter traffic has increased considerably out and back across the Churchill River. And, in the true Churchill way, rumors are also flying across the town. Many of the flights are mistaken for Polar Bear lifts as nets dangle below the machines.
Nature & Wildlife
Waves continue to roll up onto the icy Precambrian shield that forms Churchill’s coast while temperatures have fallen slightly (20F) and intermittent snow seems to be a daily occurrence.
Nature & Wildlife
Still no deep chill up here in Churchill. Temperatures ranged in the mid 20’s F and the clouds continued to cover like a warm blanket over the region. The incredible consistency of mildly cool weather has surely contributed to the prolific omnipresence of Polar Bears. Old Inuit saying: Little ice, many bears.
Nature & Wildlife
Local Mike Macri was down at the “flats” just outside town on the Churchill River working on his bungalow; “Hacienda”,as he fondly refers to it; when he glanced toward the water and saw a Polar Bear floating in the water on thin grease ice.
Nature & Wildlife
The Hudson Bay remains calm with scattered ice chunks floating towards shore aided by light North winds. Temperatures hovered around 25F, just low enough to allow bears to continue moving all across the tundra and in and around town.
Nature & Wildlife
Temperatures fluctuated between 20F and 27F in the Churchill region. It seems Indian Summer has some staying power here in a time that can be much colder with gale force winds. Both those conditions have been infrequent to date.
Nature & Wildlife
Conservation officer Graham reports that the Polar Bear Compound. Fondly known as D20, is at capacity of 26 Polar Bears even after multiple bear lifts this past week. This really comes as no surprise given the constant sightings and incidences day and night around Churchill.
News & More
Hiya Folks, This past week I was slightly famous. Not like Mick Jagger or Muhammad Ali famous, but slightly famous, like a few folks up in Churchill were happy to see me.
Nature & Wildlife
Conservation must be running low on cracker shells as Churchill is clearly under siege by Polar Bears. Seemingly non-stop fire, day and night, continues keeping everyone on their toes. I cannot remember any season in the past ten or so with so many bear incidents near town. Everywhere we go there are bears.
