We kept a close tab on one particular polar bear that had been resting on the ground for several days just outside of our camp. Some days he would be close, other days he would be 200 yards away from our camp. Our guides decided this one was approachable, and one day when he was resting several hundred yards away from camp we walked outside of camp to get better photos of him with our telephoto lenses.
This is him on one of the days he came close to the camp
Dr. P hanging by the electric fence, ready to go outside the compound and photograph that bear
Before we could leave camp Dave had to turn off the electricity to the electric wires so we could walk out. Electrodes off and ready for us to go through the fence
Part of our group as we started our walk
We came across a new species of polar bear at the beginning of our walk, and named it the polar hare-bear
Whenever you find Arctic hares you are bound to find an Arctic fox not far behind
The view of our camp as we walked to get near this bear
Dave and Cam discussing strategy so we can get good pictures with our telephoto lenses
Moses and Scott keeping a close watch on the bear and its behavior
The first thing the bear did as we got within several hundred yards is to try to detect our scent
This bear even seemed to pose for us
Even with its cute antics we kept our distance. This is a smart predator, and this relaxed behavior can be a ruse to bring us closer.
As we started to leave it stood up to get a better look at us
One last chance to detect our scent as we went back to the safety of the fenced camp
Once we were safely inside of camp Dave took a photo of our group
Once we got back to the safety of our camp Dominic got some great shots of a different polar bear 50 yards outside of our camp enjoying a good roll
They look like teddy bears when they do this, and you want to go up and pet one!
Dr. P took a video of this in slow motion
This was the end of our stay at Camp Gellini. After this it was off to Churchill for the night, the back to Manitoba and CA the next day. A few scenery shots before we depart
Sunset over Hudson Bay
Moonrise over Hudson Bay
One last game of corn hole before leaving
Next post is a tour of eclectic Churchill, Manitoba, the polar bear capitol of the world.