No, a little to the left of where you're looking. Its pretty much right there in the centre of the frame. Yeah, that white smudge, that's it.
Late last night we drove over to Victor Bay, as there had been a rumour that there was a Polar Bear in the vicinity. Shortly after we got there (11 pm-ish), I found a bear walking down the shore line on the opposite side of Victor Bay.
Although it seemed to be just strolling, its steady pace saw it cover quite a bit of distance in the hour or so we watched. We made a call to town to let some others know, and then warned some of the people camping over there that there was a bear in the vicinity. When we left about an hour later, the bear was still heading for the bottom of the bay. A steady stream of onlookers was arriving when we left, along with the wildlife officer.
Here are a couple of heavily cropped images. In my defence the bear was over 2.6 kilometres away and it was midnight, forcing me to use a high (and grainy) ISO setting. The bear, I believe, is a smallish one, perhaps around six feet. These are the bear checking out a couple of iglutak on shore.
And to make up, hopefully, for those photos. Here is a scenic from a little before we saw the bear. Yes I am managing to sneak in an iceberg photo in.
Comments
14 responses
2.6 km seems like a comfortable distance from a polar bear ;^)
Still, I’d love to see one for real.
Awesome.
Ahahaha, sneaky ice-berger. 🙂
Jealous!! My dream is to see at least one bear before I leave the north.
Very cool. Suffice to say, your midnight photos are better than any I can take here in NJ.
I wouldn’t minded closer looks Pete. The bear probably came within a half a kilometre early that morning. I’ve been a lot closer, but surprisingly not with a camera in hand.
Thank you David.
Busted once again Tina.
I’m sure you’ll get an opportunity in Cape Dorset Morena.
Thanks Patrick. I guess you don’t get many Polar Bears there in NJ. The baby pictures will more than make up for it.
“a smallish one, perhaps around six feet”.
I never knew 6 feet was smallish. Well, there you have it again: context is everything.
Not only did you sneak in an iceberg yet again, you also stole my line to Patrick about not getting any better polar bear pictures in NJ.
Lovely post again Clare, and polar bears must be magical creatures to watch – if there’s a bay between you and the bear. A good friend of mine recently moved to Ny Alesund on Svalbard (yeah, I know, I am working on having him start a blog, need some time though) and he recently sent me a picture of a polar bear track he found around town, with the paws being roughly the size of a small car. Finding fresh tracks like these and then noticing you’ve forgotten your rifle must be slightly freaky, but hey, it is the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.
I’m terrified of them, so I have to give you props for taking pictures instead of running the other way.
Excellent long-distance shots, clare. Must have been truly exhilarating to see that polar bear. What a sight!
Cool shots!
Jochen, it is all relevant. Generally a full grown adult will be 7 foot and up. 10 foot bear is a large bear and I’ve heard of some approaching 13 feet. Length is a difficult measurement to use, as it often is measured by the skins, which can be stretched somewhat. Bears in the 5 to 6 foot range are generally adolescents. They are also, generally, the most troublsome bears. They are on their own for the first time, have been chased out of the better hunting areas by larger bears, and haven’t got a clue that people should be avoided.
It was pretty far off to be terrified of Megan, I would have had an excellent head start if I did turn and start to run away.
Thanks Robin, always nice to see them… away from town.
Thanks John.
Kia ora Clare,
That is so amazing. I have been fortunate enough to see grizzlies and black bear but never in a place where the polar bears roam. What a great experience.
Cheers,
Robb
Very cool…someday I want to see one.
Well, you’ll just have to make it up this way some day Robb. We’ll see if we can’t stake one out for you.
They are cool Stylurus. And I still think there should be some Snow Bunting banding going on, that could bring you guys up here.