There's been some pretty funky light lately. Six short weeks ago the sun was setting for the first time since May, and on Monday we'll see less of the sun than everyone south of us. By the time another six weeks go by, we won't be seeing it at all.
This rapidly changing light, especially the angle of it, as it drops closer and closer to the horizon, does wonderful things with our scenery. I've said before that the landscape here never gets tiring because every day the light paints it differently.
Thursday the Narwhal came into the Bay. For well over a week now they can be seen daily out in Adam's Sound, but Thursday some were right in front of town. This photograph isn't spectacular but those ripples are Narwhal (taken from the deck).
A short time later I picked up Leah at work and we drove out to Uluksan, but could no longer see any whales in Arctic Bay. The day was mostly overcast, but the clouds above the hills as we walked to the point had a strange glow to them, akin to the glow the sky sometimes gets during late evening thundershowers. Before turning the corner at the point, you could see that the sun was now shining down Adam's Sound. Birds in the air glowed orange against the dark grey eastern sky.
Travis, running ahead looked down Adam's Sound and screamed back at us. "Come. Look. It's a Big Light!" It was indeed a big light.
And then the light caught the exhaled spray of breath of Narwhals leaving Arctic Bay for Adam's Sound. Even though they were lit by the Sun's low rays, the light levels were remarkably low, and by now the whales were well out from the point. But the scene in the incredibly light was breath taking. Here are the best (well cropped) photos of the forty-odd I took.
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5 responses
Ever thought of setting up an Arctic Bay webcam out your front windows? You’ve got the perfect view for it!
I’ve been reading about the Arctic for years. One memorable evening we slept in our tent on the shore of the Arctic Ocean at Kugluktuk and then we flew on to Cambridge Bay and were able to see a musk ox, an amazing animal. Sounds like you are having an amazing life. We have recently immigrated to Canada to live in a float cabin on Powell Lake, BC. It is no where near as remote, but we love it. I know how you feel, each day I can look at the same surroundings, but see something new and beautiful. I’ll be following your blog to find out what winter is like. – Margy
Beautiful, thanks for sharing them.
You are so right about the way light “paints the landscape differently” every day. That is a perfect way to describe it!
Hi Nancy. I don’t think I could handle the bandwidth. Although I’d really like to have a cam at the Gyrfalcon nest.
Thanks Margy. I spent about 3 weeks at Kugluktuk as our boat is there, but the ice didn’t open up for us to bring it here. Welcome to the House.
Thank you Dim Lamp.
Why thank you Kimberlee.