Polar Bear Photos
Mar 5th, 2007, 08:47 AM
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eenusa, I had a great experience with Frontiers, and, in any event, I think they are the "only game in town." I don't think there is an Option No. 2 if you want to visit Cape Churchill, where I did not visit. I recently received their new catalog, which contained pricing, and I believe that information is likewise available on their website. I'm not sure if I have any experiential observations beyond this thread, but I would be happy to entertain more specific inquiries.
Michael
Michael
Mar 5th, 2007, 04:40 PM
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eenusa,
Here is what I learned about Cape Churchill when I spent a week with the polar bears in Churchill in late Oct of 2003. My questions on Cape Churchill were because I was investigating a return trip.
Cape Churchill bear viewing is riskier; it can be highly rewarding or a bust. The buggy goes to Cape Churchill late in the season just before the ice freezes. At least that's how they plan it. If the ice freezes a bit earlier, the bears are gone. They don't just slowly migrate away from the Cape they depart en masse. I was told there have been times when photographers spent the week at Cape Churchill without seeing a bear when there was a slightly early freeze.
I'd certainly do the earliest week of those offered if you are doing Cape Churchill. I thought if I included Cape Churchill on another trip, that I'd also do some regular bear viewing earlier.
My Cape Churchill comments do not pertain to the other tundra buggy or tundra lodge trips that occur earlier in the season. They were obtained from a couple of guides but I did not do a major fact finding to double check their accuracy.
Great White Bear Tours is another operator. I was happy with their vehicles. Natural Habitat and International Wildlife Adventures arrange various itineraries that included hotels, tundra buggy, White Whale Lodge (referred to as the mothers and cubs lodge-originally White Whale Lodge burned down just days after I was there). I used Nat Hab's 9-day itinerary but saw IWA a lot.
For Cape Churchill, I think Frontiers is your one option, plus they do other trips, if you wished to combine.
Here is what I learned about Cape Churchill when I spent a week with the polar bears in Churchill in late Oct of 2003. My questions on Cape Churchill were because I was investigating a return trip.
Cape Churchill bear viewing is riskier; it can be highly rewarding or a bust. The buggy goes to Cape Churchill late in the season just before the ice freezes. At least that's how they plan it. If the ice freezes a bit earlier, the bears are gone. They don't just slowly migrate away from the Cape they depart en masse. I was told there have been times when photographers spent the week at Cape Churchill without seeing a bear when there was a slightly early freeze.
I'd certainly do the earliest week of those offered if you are doing Cape Churchill. I thought if I included Cape Churchill on another trip, that I'd also do some regular bear viewing earlier.
My Cape Churchill comments do not pertain to the other tundra buggy or tundra lodge trips that occur earlier in the season. They were obtained from a couple of guides but I did not do a major fact finding to double check their accuracy.
Great White Bear Tours is another operator. I was happy with their vehicles. Natural Habitat and International Wildlife Adventures arrange various itineraries that included hotels, tundra buggy, White Whale Lodge (referred to as the mothers and cubs lodge-originally White Whale Lodge burned down just days after I was there). I used Nat Hab's 9-day itinerary but saw IWA a lot.
For Cape Churchill, I think Frontiers is your one option, plus they do other trips, if you wished to combine.
Mar 24th, 2007, 12:31 PM
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been to churchill four times. frontiers north is the one to go with.the first time we went with great white bear.the next year we decided to go back.we made our plane rev room rev.i call great white bear a year in advance they told me that they wearnt taking rev yet.i called every week they told me the same thing not taking rev yet .finally they tould me to call march 1 10.00 called march 1 10.00 they told me the told me they were filled up .pretty sorry
Nov 24th, 2008, 09:29 AM
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Just wanted to let those interested know that I have posted a trip report for our Nov '08 adventure - Tundra Buggy Lodge at Polar Bear Point. Photos will be a while, but if you want to read my report: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...=3&start=0.
It was a terrific trip, and well worth the extra $$$s to stay at the lodge.
It was a terrific trip, and well worth the extra $$$s to stay at the lodge.
Nov 24th, 2008, 04:49 PM
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Hi Michael
Great photos! I especially enjoy the less seen creatures. Don't the bears look out of place not being surrounded by white? When they are not on snow it just doesn't look right.
Kind regards
Kaye
Great photos! I especially enjoy the less seen creatures. Don't the bears look out of place not being surrounded by white? When they are not on snow it just doesn't look right.
Kind regards
Kaye
Nov 24th, 2008, 04:57 PM
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Kaye, yes, the polar bears looked somewhat strange with the background of dried foliage -- when I visited in October 2005 there was very little snow. This is definitely a trip that I'd like to repeat.
eenusa, I need to visit the Canada branch to check out your trip report and photos.
I had forgotten about this thread -- I think it was my initial attempt to post a link to kodakgallery and it looks like I failed a few times, before being rescued by Kavey. This was just before I had the pleasure of meeting Kavey for a cocktail in London (the first of three Fodorites that I have met from the Africa forum).
I'm off to Andorra tomorrow.
eenusa, I need to visit the Canada branch to check out your trip report and photos.
I had forgotten about this thread -- I think it was my initial attempt to post a link to kodakgallery and it looks like I failed a few times, before being rescued by Kavey. This was just before I had the pleasure of meeting Kavey for a cocktail in London (the first of three Fodorites that I have met from the Africa forum).
I'm off to Andorra tomorrow.
Nov 25th, 2008, 12:11 PM
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Michael, you have single-handedly given my mom a very good day! I am going to call her tonight and tell her that we will be coming home next Oct/Nov to see the bears! (she lives in a small town north of Winnipeg)
Wonderful photos - I missed them the first time around!
Wonderful photos - I missed them the first time around!
Nov 25th, 2008, 12:34 PM
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Linda, also make sure to read eenusa's report, which is much more detailed and offers a lot more practical information than mine. She also went on a more ambitious, and interesting, trip than I did, staying several days in the Tundra Lodge on the ice, while I stayed in a hotel in Churchill and traveled out onto the ice each day.
I went with Frontier North Adventures (if I recall the name after three years) and they were excellent.
I went with Frontier North Adventures (if I recall the name after three years) and they were excellent.
Feb 2nd, 2009, 01:48 AM
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Finally - I have my Polar Bear photos posted ... if you are interested in taking a peek -
http://tinyurl.com/dzweym
http://tinyurl.com/dzweym
Feb 2nd, 2009, 03:04 AM
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eenusa,
Some of the best PB shots I have seen. You really nailed the exposure andshow great skill with your crops. Do you mind sharing what camera and lens you used. I am considering a future trip similar to yours.
Chuck
Some of the best PB shots I have seen. You really nailed the exposure andshow great skill with your crops. Do you mind sharing what camera and lens you used. I am considering a future trip similar to yours.
Chuck
Feb 2nd, 2009, 03:54 AM
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safarichuck - thanks for the compliment. Most of the PB photos were taken with a Canon 40D and the Canon 100-400L lens (often not at full zoom because the bears were so close). The scenics were usually taken with a 20D and a Sigma 18-200 stabilized lens (occasionally had problems focusing in auto mode). The Churchill photos were all taken with a Canon PowerShot SD870IS.
Leave the tripod/monopod at home and make sure you have a good bean bag to steady the lens against the edge of the window.
Leave the tripod/monopod at home and make sure you have a good bean bag to steady the lens against the edge of the window.
Feb 2nd, 2009, 04:14 AM
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eenusa,
Thank you for the information. I hoped to see thit_cho gallery but it seems unavailable. Perhaps Michael can hook it up again? Looks like a great destination to place into the Africa mix. Guess I'll not be needing my zip-off pants.
Regards-Chuck
Thank you for the information. I hoped to see thit_cho gallery but it seems unavailable. Perhaps Michael can hook it up again? Looks like a great destination to place into the Africa mix. Guess I'll not be needing my zip-off pants.
Regards-Chuck
Feb 2nd, 2009, 04:21 AM
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Chuck - you most definitely can leave the zip-offs home when you go to Churchill 
Try this link for Michael's photos
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-vn2xcn
Try this link for Michael's photos
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-vn2xcn
Feb 2nd, 2009, 06:41 AM
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eenusa, your photos are terrific (also, thanks for restoring the link to my photos -- this was my first attempt at posting a link to Kodakgallery, with several false starts, until I was finally rescued by Kavey).
