Imagine seeing this coming at you out of the blowing snow. This was my first polar bear encounter in Churchill, Manitoba with Churchill Nature Tours.
I arrived in Churchill, Manitoba three days ago and I’ve already gone on a helicopter flight with 24 polar bear sightings, a polar rover expedition with more than 30 bear sightings and a dog sledding adventure. Churchill is the place for wild nature lovers.
My favorite moment during the trip was my first bear sighting during the polar rover excursion. We were driving in the rover and it started to snow covering the ground with a beautiful white fluff that was picturesque.
As I was watching the large white flakes flutter through the sky, I noticed a massive, male polar bears slowly moving through the dark bushes. He was majestic. I felt like I was watching a Coke commercial.
He made his way down the street and he looked serious. His gigantic paws looked even larger with all of the fur that surrounded them. They made huge impressions in the snow and on me.
He got closer and closer but the falling snow and the stark white background helped him blend in to his surroundings. Sometimes when I blinked, I had to wait for my eyes to adjust to see him again and that moment was my favorite moment of the trip so far. The realization of how great a predictor he is was overwhelming. This almost 1000 pound beast can run at speeds of up to 25 mph yet they can easily blend in or hide in their surroundings. Polar bears are aggressive, curious and actively hunt humans.
Last week, I went cage diving with great white sharks. I wasn’t even out of the cage and I was nervous. To a shark, from below, a surfer or a swimmer might get attacked because he or she looks like a really big fish. Polar bears don’t make that mistake, but they’ll eat you anyway. This one was within ten feet from me yet I was safe in the polar rover. How many people get to see a polar bear in its natural habitat without fearing for their life? This was a buckeltist moment to remember.
Those are some awesome photos. That bear is just huge!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I knew they were big but I was shocked by just how massive they are. It was magical to see them up close.
LikeLiked by 2 people
wow.
LikeLike
wow, great encounter and some good pics
LikeLike
Wow! Amazing photos and experience! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Pingback: My Favorite Polar Bear Moment in Churchill, Manitoba | quirkywritingcorner
Very cool. Thanks for sharing this moment with us!! I liked your line “impressions in the snow and on me.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! They really did leave an impression on me. Some experiences are far greater than you ever imagined and this one will stay will me forever. There is so much beauty in this world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so jealous. Polar Bears are my absolute favorite animal. You are very fortunate to have seen so many.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is a trip to Churchill on your list?
LikeLike
Wow!! I always want to see polar bear 🙂
LikeLike
I think that the sightings here are the best in the world. It’s one of the best wild experiences of my life.
LikeLike
Wow!! Totally amazing. Great photos and story. Kudos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Have you had any wildlife encounters?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, this looks like one I’d like to do.
LikeLike
Wow, I knew that they were big but your pictures really show how massive they are. Great pictures and thanks for sharing you experiences!
LikeLike
They are way bigger than I imagined. The pictures don’t even do them justice. The larger males were around 1000 pounds. Their jaws could open up and fit my entire head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leslie, you are braver than I will ever be. I’ll go up to a growling dog, but a polar bear? Even from a balcony so high it would look like a speck I would not feel safe. These photos are so outstanding though, I almost feel like I could reach out and touch that big guy’s nose. Not even going to touch the screen though.
LikeLike
The tundra vehicles are very safe but the bears do wander into the city. We had to use extreme caution. We drove everywhere and never got out of the vehicle unless directed to do so. The company I was traveling with, Churchill Nature Tours, have never had an attack and we felt very safe, but cautious, in the community.
LikeLike
The pic of him blending in to the surroundings is surreal. Would hate to see those black eyes out of the white no where….
LikeLike
They are very good at hiding! Seeing them from the vehicle felt safe but I wouldn’t want to see one in the street while walking.
LikeLike
Totally amazing. You were fortunate to see the polar bear so close and the photos are great. Very clear.
LikeLike
Thank you! I still can’t believe I was that close to them and it was in their natural surroundings. No zoo, no bars, just them.
LikeLike
Great polar bear photos! I love polar bears! Gorgeous Gorgeous! Hugz and thank you so much for sharing them! Hugz Lisa and Bear
LikeLike
what a fantastic opportunity, and great photos. Lucky lady you
LikeLike
Major OH EM G! That is just incredible; what an experience? To see them in the wild like that and so close up.. Simply amazing!
LikeLike
Wow this is incredible! What an amazing experience.
LikeLike
What an amazing adventure and how lucky to have seen such a beautiful bear up close. Once in a lifetime!
LikeLike
Amazing animals, you’re very lucky to meet them!
LikeLike
Wow, what a fabulous opportunity! And a very memorable encounter in Churchill. We’d love to replicate your experience. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I remember what it was like seeing a lion in the wild during our African Safari, I’m sure this was a similar thrill and experience! There is nothing like seeing animals like this in the wild!
LikeLike
wow wow wow just stunning, they are such beautiful creatures…must be very scary though from close by!
LikeLike
Am very (did I already say very?) jealous, have been selling this trip to our customers for years now and can’t wait to experience it myself one day!
LikeLike
Might get the ‘cutest of the day’ thing for me today!
LikeLike
Awesome! So cutee! Looks so huggable but no thanks! haha.. Wish I could also try a close encounter look with them. ^_^
LikeLike
Leslie, All of us are so fortunate to have you do all the exciting things you do, take great pics and take us with you on each excursion. I’ve been to places I only imagined as a follower of your trips. Polar Bears are a unique group of animals – look so loveable – but I’ll take the pictures. Will be curious to see what your Bucket List for 2016 will be. I can’t wait to go with you.
Patricia
LikeLike
Very cool…had a similar experience near Denali in Alaska. Our group had stopped for hot chocolate and to take pictures of the mountain when two grizzlies came on the run, attracted by the either the chocolate or the human smell. The guide yelled get on the mini-bus and the 12 of us scrambled back to our seats. The bears consumed the snacks and licked up the cups of cocoa we had abandoned and then stood on their hind legs, peering through the fortunately closed glass windows at lunch (us). They batted the bus a couple of time rocking it back and forth, then got bored and wandered off. A definite close encounter of a bear kind, but with a happy ending.
LikeLike
Oh wow… a friend of mine JUST went to do this same thing in Churchill!!!! I wonder if the two of you might have crossed paths up there. Beautiful photos!
LikeLike
Awesome. What an amazing trip!!
LikeLike
Great pics, beautiful animal but so scary coming towards you!
LikeLike
What an absolutely amazing experience!! I would love to see such a beautiful animal. From a distance. With a telephoto lens. Yikes 😀
LikeLike
We were in the polar rovers. I’m grateful for the close distance 😉
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing. I hope to go some day
LikeLike
That is so cool!…..wow!
LikeLike
awesome experience !
LikeLike
wow…this is great. A friend of mine went also to this place in October.
LikeLike