We arrive early on November 8th at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre

This (icy cold) hallway separates the dorm from the rest of the center

The helicoptors landed next to the Centre

A rescued pup

Jenafor

An old outpost from the missile days

This is a female bear

It's too warm for ice to form

The gray water used to simply pour out--attracting the bears. Now it's enclosed.

The quiet area in the dorm

Our first chance to go outside for a helicoptor tour of the area, temperature a warm 12 degrees or thereabouts

A Moose!

Rupert's slide showing how closely related the Polar and Brown bears are . . .

Isobel

Jenafor

Sharon and I take off on our ride

Sharon

Jenafor

Our first sighting

When running, they often have 3 paws off the ground

Are we there yet?

Some stand 11 feet tall. We are photographing from our buggy which has a platform without bars.

Stefanie

Andrew and Christina

That's our room with the door open

Our first sighting of Polar Bears!

That afternoon we went dog-sledding

Isobel

Off they go!

Jill

A curous bear approaches

Mom senses danger (a male bear nearby) and they turn to go in the opposite direction

Marie at our first evening presentation

We can look outside (through the bars) but can't venture out without an armed escort!

Sharon, me, Stefanie

Mom and young--we'll see them again . . .

The dogs were eager to travel

Gerald Azure

Jill

We head for home

They often have their eyes closed--it must be tiring waiting and waiting for the ice to form . . .

An Arctic Fox

Mom and young

I see him!

A somewhat permanent lodging attracts bears and other buggies

Classroom and happy participants

Many photos line the walls. This one caught my eye.

Sharon, Tara, Tibby, and Hank (Henry behind Sharon?)

Tara, Christina, and Rupert

Handsome Hawk

This Gray Jay landed right on my head!

Retired old fellow

Afternoon sun

Out on the tundra in our buggy

Seen through frozen grasses

A sleepy look

Almost elephant-like

heading back

Small space for 4, none of us terribly neat