Polar Bear Diaries #1

---

Hey guys!

I thought I would try and update the blog fairly frequently, as there are many bears around, and I am sure you would all like to see some of the action?

Winter has arrived... We had our first winter storm, and the land and lakes are now frozen in time. There is actually sea-ice forming around the shoreline, something we don't normally see until very late October or early November! I have my fingers crossed for an early freeze up, it would hopefully do wonders to our bears!

During the last few days we have had a couple of four-legged visitors to the lodge, one big male and a very young bear (We are not sure whether it's a boy or a girl). They have both been extremely curious about us, and tried there darned hardest to climb aboard! I always get chills down my spine when I look a polar bear in the eyes. They always look so gentle, even if they are the world's mightiest land carnivore... To feel a bears breath on your face and to hear them breathe is just a harsh reminder that we are on their menu! They are higher than us on the food chain, and they are hungry!

Dave.

---

Photos

The first winter storm.
The snow blew and the wind howled for five days, changing the landscape to a white, snowy world.

Frozen wastes.
The lakes have all frozen over and the sea is starting to freeze.

Frozen dryas integrifolia.
The tundra plants will soon be entombed in snow and ice for the next 8 months.

Orange and white.
The jewel lichen (orange starburst) is a stark contrast to the white landscape.

A very small visitor.
Probably a two year old cub, and a very small one at that.

Bree makes carrot cakes.
Bree said she made 24 carrot cakes! I was wondering if they were solid gold or just gold plated? Ha ha! On the Tundra Buggy Lodge.