Sparing Polar Bears
On my latest trip to Churchill in Canada, the polar bear activity picked up during my second week there. On November 1, we spotted a couple of male bears sparing as they waited for the ice on Hudson Bay to freeze. Sparing lets them develop their fighting skills and establish dominance over other bears. It’s good practice for when they will fight during mating season in the spring.
These bears would spar for a while and then take a break to rest and then spar again. We saw them sparing off and on for 4 days. It was amazing to witness and take videos of their action.
120 fps, R3 + 100-500, handheld, uncropped
Red Fox Following His Nose
On my first day in Churchill, we found this red fox hunting along a road. We pulled over and got some cool photos and videos, with him ignoring us. They stay focused on finding food by following their nose.
120 fps slow motion video, Canon R3 + 100-500, handheld
After capturing this video, switched back to stills to get a few photos after he got very close to me. Love his eye in this photo.
1/800 @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, 420mm (R3 + 100-500 + 1.4X), handheld, minor crop from bottom
Red Fox on the Run with Captured Raven
While taking photos of ptarmigans in Churchill, this red fox came running right past us carrying what looks like a partially frozen raven. Never know what you may see in the wild.
120 fps, R3 + 100-500, handheld
Polar Bear in Snowstorm Slow-Motion Video
During my trip to Churchill in Canada this year, had the opportunity to take many slow-motion videos of the polar bears and foxes. These two male bears were resting from sparing when it started to snow. Love how the snow looks in slow motion. We didn’t see much snow, but the polar bears loved it.
120 fps, Canon R3 + 100-500, processed in Adobe Premiere Pro, 4K converted to 1080P, handheld
Polar Bear in Snowstorm
It didn’t snow very much in Churchill, but when it did it offered some great photo opportunities. This was from the first day that we saw these two bears sparing. They were taking a break when the snow started coming down heavy. It had been above freezing for a few days, so they were grateful to see the snow.
1/1250 sec @ F11, ISO 12,800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, 254mm (R3 + 100-500), handheld
Incoming Polar Bear
This polar bear came down off of the rocks at a distance and kept walking directly towards us. Our guide warned us that when he reached a certain point in the trail, a branch, that we would have to get into the van. The bear apparently heard her as he stopped just short of the branch and sat down in front of us.
It still blows my mind about being able to be on the ground taking photos of adult polar bears at eye level.
Cross Fox on the Run
Cross Fox – Churchill
While taking photos of polar bears on the rocks, this cross fox showed up and was running around. She kept marking her territory all around us, so I probably belong to her now. The foxes at Churchill this time of year are very beautiful. They can be very curious and will get very close.
1/640 sec @ F8, ISO 10,000, 420mm (R3 + 100-500 + 1.4X), mounted on tripod
Churchill Polar Bear
Got home on Sunday after 2 amazing weeks in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. It was epic including several polar bear moms with 1st and 2nd year cubs, nursing cubs, bears climbing in the rocks and sparing bears. The other wildlife didn’t disappoint either, including silver/cross/red foxes with one amazing encounter with a cross-fox mating with a silver fox. Plus, to top it off was a wolverine on a frozen lake with a silver fox trying to play with it and raven telling him who was the boss.
Here is a lone polar bear walking by at 700mm (R3 + 100-500 + 1.4X) handheld, uncropped.
Tim Timmis Photography 