POLAR BEARS 2019 -1

In the early October I was invited To join the LightChase Photo Tour to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada to photograph Polar Bears, and other creatures of the North. My last trip there had been in 2012. I was curious to see how the change in weather over the past seven years had effected the area and the bear population.

On 1 November I was joined by my friend and photo compatriot, Lin, for the long day of flying. We departed San Diego at 0615 with a flight to Denver, followed by flights to Winnipeg, Canada, and onto Churchill. The transfer in Winnipeg made us truly aware of the weather as there was a cold wind blowing as we walked out onto the tarmac to board our flight to Churchill.

We arrived on time and were greeted by our B&B hostess, Ashley. By the time we got to the house it was well past dinner time, so we snacked on what was available in the kitchen. By now it was 2100 Central Time/1900 Pacific Time. Spent time unpacking and organizing gear for the stay in Churchill, before calling it a day and going to bed.

We had the pleasure of being able to sleep in on the 2nd of November as the remaining group was arriving this morning. Today was spent being tourists in Churchill. The first order of business was getting Canadian money. Then it was lunch time where we ate at the Tundra Inn. Lin and I split the lunch and  had plenty to eat. We visited the six gift/souvenir stores as this was the only day we would Not be out on a tundra buggy with early morning departures and post sunset returns. I was about done with the shopping ordeal after four!

 Sunday, November 3:

Today we spent exploring the surrounding areas of Churchill using our two rental vehicles. While driving, we saw one polar bear quite a distance away, and walking away from us.

 A couple of years ago there were some artists who came to the area, and added some art to the outside of a number of buildings. It certainly added color to the area.

During our roving about ....

TUNDRA BUGGY BASE

TAIGA FOREST

The taiga is a forest of the cold, subarctic area of the Northern Hemisphere that lies just South of the Arctic Circle. It lies between the tundra to the North and the temperate forests to the South. The taiga, generally referred to in North America, is a boreal forest or snow forest. The forest is very sparse.

We visited "Miss Piggy", the wreck of a Curtiss C-46 cargo plane. It crashed shortly after takeoff in November 1979. She was named Miss Piggy because she could be heavily loaded with supplies for the North.

Car rentals in Churchill are not of the newest models. The cars have a hard life up here, and are a bit the worse for wear. While stopped at Miss Piggy,  one vehicle decided it had had enough of the cold and would not start when we were ready to move on. As a result the occupants were shuttled back to town by the other car, and it was all reported to the rental company. we were given another vehicle which functioned fine for the remainder of our stay. (The temperature range for November here is in the low digits to -10˚F.)

LIN

After lunch we headed off to Blue Sky Expeditions for an afternoon of dogsledding. All in the group took rides of 2 miles in length. Then we were able to visit with the dogs while they had a free play time.  We then returned to town for a little break, and to make our sandwiches for tomorrow when we go out on the Tundra Buggy for a day.

ROBBIE AND TERRI

Dinner tonight was back at Blue Sky Expeditions where Gerald and Jenephor hosted a chicken dinner for us. We were also serenaded by one of the dog handlers with a violin concert. 

Finally it was time to call it a night and get back to our respective B&Bs, shower, organize our gear for tomorrow and get some sleep.

WHY OH WHY, OHIO ?

We were off early on October 10th to Ohio. Why? you ask. For a family gathering at Tina and Justin's new home. This was mostly a relaxing and helping with chores trip. They are now the proud owners of a three bedroom house with two barns, a downstairs apartment, and 20 acres of land.

A VIEW FROM THE FRONT DOOR

Our flight was delayed due to a medical emergency on board, resulting in it being diverted to Las Vegas to attend to the matter. We were not asked to de-board and were back in the air about an hour later. I had messaged Tina, so she was aware and not waiting for us at the Detroit Airport. Once we landed and got our luggage Tina drove up and we were off to West Unity. The drive to the house went smoothly though we did have a couple of slowdowns due to the commute hour.

We were welcomed by the animals, Klara, and Justin. Klara had arrived yesterday via Amtrak from Montana. She brought along some bison and elk meat which Justin cooked to perfection for our dinner. Tina and Justin's new home is a work in progress, but they have already done a great job of furnishing it, and doing lots of work on the two barns, and fields. We enjoyed relaxing and catching up after dinner in the sunroom as the sunset.

FRIDAY, Oct. 11th:

We enjoyed a leisurely day around the property, and got a feel for the vastness of their 20 acres, and the job they have done in fencing sections of it. There were off and on light rain showers today. Klara had been busy with baking chores, and tomorrow we will have fresh croissants! Outside work was done by Justin and their neighbor, JR moving and grading earth behind the barn. This is to correct a drainage issue.  The area directly behind the barn will soon be a coral used for riding and training the mules. They have had little to no riding since May. Justin cooked up some grilled chicken thighs stuffed with a cheese mixture for dinner served with hominy, a dish I have not had before. It was quite good.

VIEW FROM THE HOUSE

IMA IN NEED OF A GOOD BRUSHING, ETC.

VIEW FROM THE PERIMETER

SATURDAY, Oct.12th:

This morning it was cold by San Diego Standards, 35˚F. On my morning walk about I carried my camera and took couple of pictures. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast of chocolate and raspberry croissants, along with an omelet.

Around mid-day we went off to explore Harrison Lake State Park. We enjoyed a three mile hike around the lake. There were  pockets of fall color, and a great blue heron, and a couple of cormorants
on the lake. Regrettably they were quite a distance so no good pictures.

TRAIL ART

In the late afternoon, Tina's friend Stephanie came with her two sons for a visit and dinner. Stephanie's oldest son, Ryan, actually has a couple of my polar bear pictures in his room. We chatted about photographing the bears, and that experience. 

SUNDAY, Oct. 13th:

We had clear skies this morning so no sunrise photography though I was up in time. After breakfast there was work to be done in the various garden plots and more grading which Justin took care of with the bobcat and other farm equipment.

I again wandered around with camera and iPhone. The iPhone was mostly used to identify different plants.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER

With the wonders of the internet, I was able to submit photos for PhotoNaturalist Camera Club's monthly competition. (They were both accepted by the Judge for Authenticated Wildlife.) Sunset was very nice, and I almost missed the best part of it.

MONDAY, Oct. 14th:

This morning I captured the full moon setting to the West, and a cloudy and moody morning to the East.

We visited the Amish town of Shipshewana, Indiana. We enjoyed playing tourist, browsing and shopping. Tina showed us the new bedroom furniture that they have on order. Klara fell in love with a lovely rocking chair but then decided against it because the shipping was a bit too high. We bought a couple of dish towels with appropriate messages, and placemats and napkins. The Amish carriages were running up and down the main street at a very good clip.

COULD NOT RESIST THIS ON THE BACK OF A CAR

Back at the ranch, we were treated to a sundog in the Western sky. We also had some nice sunset light and color. I then captured the moonrise through the trees. I was happy with a couple of the moon pictures.

SUN DOG

MOODY MOON RISE

TUESDAY, Oct. 15th:

Up and dressed for sunrise this morning. I was rewarded for my effort. The small lake right outside the sunroom adds to the experience.

 Fall color here is late this year, a disappointment to us. It has been a mild fall, with few days of frost to date.

IMA LOOKING BETTER

Around mid-morning a sandhill crane was spotted in the far field. Tina and I got out our longer lenses and teleconverters; and spent time photographing it. There were only a few acceptable images at the end of the session. The crane stuck around for a good part of the day but kept his distance.

SANDHILL CRANE

SANDHILL CRANE

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16th:

Took Klara to train in Waterloo, Indiana. It was running about two hours late. We had seen a revised schedule for the departure so we were not waiting at the train station that long. A bit of history was made here during WWII when a German committed suicide by lying down on the tracks and committing suicide by being run over by the train. He was beheaded!!

Things were much quieter this morning with a few people boarding the train bound for Chicago, and no drama.

We then headed back to Tina's with a stop at the nearest grocery store for a couple of items.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the country setting.

THURSDAY, Oct.17th:

Today we bid farewell to Ohio. It was a cool morning, and once again I was up for sunrise, and was duly rewarded.

We had a relaxing breakfast before heading for the Detroit Airport. The drive went smoothly and we arrived in good time. The check-in process also went smoothly. We had a direct flight to San Diego, and were home by 1830.

This was a good trip and fun to see how Tina and Justin are creating a new home and ranch. We look forward to probably visiting again in two years. In the meantime we will see them in San Diego for Christmas, and then rendezvous with them in Bishop for Mule Days 2020. There is also a planned family visit to the North Rim, Grand Canyon, in the Fall.