POLAR BEARS 2019 - 3

Wednesday, Nov. 6th:

I am still having issues with my boots. I tried on some Sorel brand winter boots and found a size that would work for me. Will look into ordering a pair after the trip.

This was our third day on the Tundra Buggy. It was quite cold today with a brisk wind blowing so the the feel like temperature was in the range of -30 F. To say the least one did not go out on the back deck for an extended period of time. If you were able you stayed inside the buggy and shot through the open windows. Even so, you could chill down quite quickly. 

We spent the day following a couple of male bears. 

WAITING FOR ICE

Good Morning 

We caught them resting, 

WHAT IS GOING ON

SHAKING OFF

WAKING UP

lounging, and sparing with each other at different times.

Another rest stop:

at the end of the day they were moving toward the Bay.

As we returned to the base area we had a bit of a sunset. 

This was the last day for group one. I am staying on another day due to flight scheduling, so I will have four days of polar bear viewing. :-)

Thursday, November 7th.

Today saw clearing skies. It was a treat, though it was quite cold.

First up was a nice sunrise on the taiga followed by some early low light on various snow formations.  

There was a small bird we  passed that was on the ground. Luckily Jim, our driver, was quick to identify it as a snow bunting. It was nestled down on the ground out of the cold wind.

TRACK OF A BEAR AND TWO CUBS

SNOW SCULPTURED BY WIND

The real treat was seeing a Mom and two cubs. These were the first and only family that I saw. 

as you can see here it was quite windy.

Later we followed a male on his wanderings as the weather deteriorated.

One thing he wanted to do was chew on the tundra buggy tire! It was a cold and blustery day so that the bears seemed to want to hunker down.

The last critter we were able to photograph was a cross fox late in the afternoon, and through the glass of the buggy. This is just a record shot.

This evening I started my trip home. I flew to Winnipeg, and spent a couple of hours in a motel taking a nap. Then it was off to the airport at 0415 for a 6:30 flight. The flight from Winnipeg went smoothly with clearing Customs before boarding for Denver. The flight arrived in Denver about 30 minutes early. 😁

Once in San Diego we headed for home, and my disrobing some of my winter layers.  Lunch was crab sandwiches, a tradition as Pt. Loma Seafood is right on our way.

This was a good trip and I enjoyed seeing the polar bears once again. Seeing some photo friends from previous trips, and enjoying the overall experience.