A large polar bear sploots on the snow-covered tundra and gnaws on an old, dry piece of carcass. He's facing the camera and looks up distractedly.
Polar bears are intelligent and will look for ways to keep busy when they have nothing better to do. Gnawing on this dry carcass is exactly that - a mindless way to pass the time while waiting for the bay to freeze. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A tiny Arctic fox looks up from where its standing in the ice and snow along the coast. Its fur isn't pure white yet because It hasn't finished the transition to winter fur.
A tiny Arctic fox looks curiously from where its standing in the ice and snow along the coast. Its fur isn't pure white yet because It hasn't finished the transition to winter fur.
A tiny Arctic fox sniffs the the ice and snow along the coast, looking for food. Its fur isn't pure white yet because It hasn't finished the transition to winter fur.
The encounter that took what was already a great #BearSeason2025 right over the top. Arctic foxes are not the easiest to find around Churchill so getting to spend time with this cutie who is still changing into their winter coat was amazing. #mammals 🌿
An 11-month-old polar bear cub lies on its side and peeks out over its mom's neck as she lounges on her paw in the snowy willows.
A lazy morning in the snow with mom and cub. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
A polar bear walks on the ice on the tidal flats of Hudson Bay. This photo from a few weeks ago shows the water is still open.
I've heard from my friends in Churchill that the ice has arrived and the bears are finally heading out to break their over 150 day fast. (this photo is from a few weeks ago) Hudson Bay is still a long way from fully frozen, but at least they can get out and start hunting. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
Two polar bears spar in a patch of bare willows. The bear facing the photographer has his mouth open, showing of intimidating teeth.
The same sparring polar bears are locked in each other's arms while the bear on the left noms on the cheek of his opponent.
Polar bears can go from terrifying to derpy at lightning speed.
*they're still incredibly dangerous #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A snow-dusted momma polar bear snoozes in the sun on a frozen lake while her equally snow-dusted cubs sleep against her rear.
A snow-dusted momma polar bear and her cubs look off into the distance from where they lie on a snow-covered frozen lake.
I think we could all use a polar bear cuddle pile to brighten up our timeline. These two cubs are about 11 months old and will stay with mom until 2.5-3 years. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
A female polar bear sleeps stretched out in the snow on a frozen lake. Her two young cubs were snuggled into her hind end.
Momma bear in full meerkat mode sniffing the snow-filled air as her two cubs watch. The sudden snow squall swirls around them.
Mom resettles and checks on her cubs as the closest one stretches in the snow. The snow still swirls around them.
Mom and one cub have resettled back in their sleeping spot while the cub on the end looks out towards the photographer. The snow has eased off again.
Another story in four parts. This polar bear mom went from seemingly sound asleep to full meerkat mode in seconds. Her nose is always on the alert for potential danger to her and her 11-month-old cubs. #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
A larger polar bear cub lies face down on the ice with her bum in the air while her mother continues to walk ahead of her on the snowy lake bed.
A larger polar bear cub lies lazily on the snowy lake bottom while her mom turns back to notice her stretched out on the ice.
The cub jumps four feet into the air away from her mom who lunges at her as a reminder to get up and move on the snowy lake.
The cub collapses on the snowy lake again on her face with her bum in the air right behind her month who has apparently given up and turns her back to keep walking.
A story in four parts. This second year polar bear cub wasn't feeling it anymore. Mom, however, reminded her that they needed to keep moving with a few potentially dangerous males nearby. However, the effects of the pep talk didn't last long :) #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
A mother polar bear and her nearly 2-year-old cub pose in the diffuse morning light on the snow-covered rocks of a dry lake bed. Both look to be a healthy weight for this time of year.
Like mother, like daughter. This cub is 1 year and 11 months old and will be sticking around for another 6 months at least before venturing off on her own. They both look to be in good shape and I hope they have good luck on the ice once Hudson Bay freezes. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
Two male polar bears lie on the snowy ground facing each other and lazily mouth at each other's head.
The bears are up on all fours now with one draping himself over the back of the other who chomps on the loose fur around his opponent's neck.
Both bears are standing on hind legs, sussing each other out before sparring for real.
Both bears are standing on their hind legs getting ready to take a swipe at each other.
Two evenly-matched males spent the afternoon lazily sparring while waiting for the bay to freeze. #BearSeason2025 #Mammals 🌿
A large, male polar bear sploots on the snowy tundra and gnaws on a piece of frozen carcass.
He found a chew toy on the tundra. Polar bears will eat just about anything they can find, but the only thing that will really fuel their metabolism is seal fat, which they will have to wait for the bay to freeze to get their paws on. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
#BearSeason2025 is over for me. Not for the bears however, as our corner of the Hudson Bay continues to slowly freeze. A few local guesses range between 2 weeks to next month for a freeze good enough to support them as they head out for seals. Fingers crossed sooner than later.
Two mother polar bears and their respective cubs beating a hasty retreat from a large male who had just showed up in the neighborhood. Males are a risk to cubs. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A very stark reminder why no one goes out on foot after dark in Churchill, Manitoba. This mom and her cubs came just off the beach and behind the town complex. The Polar Bear Alert staff gently herded them away from town to keep everyone safe. #mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
A healthy-looking polar bear looks at the photographer, showing off the red tinge of dried blood around its muzzle.
It's unusual to see a bloody face on a polar bear this time of year. Our bears are current nearing the end of their over 140 day fast waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze. This bear, however, must have found an unsuspecting seal along the shore. Definitely a bonus. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A polar bear lies on his back in a deep bed of brown kelp next to the blue water of Hudson Bay. He stretches his right arm up over its head.
A polar bear lies on his back in a deep bed of reddish kelp and smiles in the sunshine, showing off his canines.
A polar bear stretches out on his back in a deep bed of brown kelp in the sunshine.
Polar bears are experts in relaxing. Nothing like a good kelp bed in the sunshine. #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
Two large polar bears can be seen from a distance standing on their hind legs sparring with each other among the bare willows in the lightly falling snow.
Two large polar bears can be seen from a distance sparring with each other among the bare willows in the lightly falling snow. Only the head of the left one is visible as he stretches his neck up over the willows to play bitey face with the one standing above him.
Two large polar bears are locked in playful battle on their hind legs, viewed from a distance in the bare willows and snowy tundra.
When you're looking out over the snowy tundra and suddenly these two pop up out of the willows. Polar bears, especially males, will sometimes kill time while waiting for the ice to freeze with a little friendly sparring. #mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
Furry friend stopping by for a visit. It’s always awe- inspiring to see them this close and such an amazing privilege. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A large polar bear stands solidly on the dry moss of the tundra. The light casts him in harsh shadow, making him look a bit more beat-up than he actually is.
A large polar bear stands on the dry brown moss of the tundra in the harsh light of late morning. He looks ready for a fight, but is just getting up from a nap.
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
A lone polar bear picks its way over a ridge of rounded grey rocks in dim, muted sunlight of late afternoon
One of my favourite polar bear photos I've taken to date. It was a weird, misty evening with just a sliver of sunlight coming through the fog, lighting up this bear on the rocks just outside of town. #mammals 🌿 #BearSeason2025
