We were lucky to see this pair of
large Polar Bear cubs, probably about two years old. I don't why
but I didn't expect to see polar bears this soon into the trip
and not this close up either. While we were safe in the zodiacs
and with plenty of distance between with engines to call on just
in case, there was something still a little unnerving about
seeing such large and formidable predators in their natural
environment. Polar bears are the largest land predators with
adult males weighing 350-680 kg (770-1,500 lb) females are about
half that.
Prince Leopold Island has over
100,000 nesting pairs of assorted birds, Black Guillemots,
Glaucous Gulls, Thick-Billed Murres, Black-legged Kittiwakes and
others that nest along the cliffs. While predators can't get to
them on the cliff, they can scavenge at the base for causalities
and so it can be a good place to spot other wildlife.
Air temp: +4º C Latitude: 74º 02' N Longitude: 89º 52' W
These are pictures
from a cruise to the High Arctic in August 2010, from Resolute
Bay Canada to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland.
Pictures copyright Paul Ward.
Pentax digital equipment.
2001 Paul Ward |
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