"Changing Colors of the Tundra" - Churchill in the Fall

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

Member's gallery
Chad Huff said:
I just got back from what was undoubtedly the trip of my life. I've always wanted to photograph polar bears, and when the chance came to go when the fall colors are incredible I was so grateful! I've seen lots of photos pop polar bears on ice and snow... They're gorgeous, iconic, everything you want in a wildlife photo... But that isn't the only habitat they live in. The sub-arctic, when the fall colors light up in September, is a magical place. Bears, Bird, colors, aurora, Beluga Whales... It's all there.

We went with Discover Churchill, and they were FANTASTIC hosts. Food was great, accommodations awesome, friendly and professional... Most of all LOTS of ethical wildlife shots, tons of experience in the arctic/sub-arctic tundra, and a very welcome emphasis on ethics, conservation, and teaching more than just "guiding". I feel like I came home with an education along with several thousand wonderful images. If you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend them.

Here is a sample of the sights I saw:
Click to expand...
Wow, those are wonderful shots you got! Definitely not the usual polar bear shots.
 
Member's gallery
Love these. I almost went this year, but it is on my calendar for next Sept. Did you go the first trip or the second one in Sept? I'm not sure how much difference it makes. I was watching the weather this past Sept and it looked like it was CRAZY warm this year.
 
Member's gallery
kbird said:
Love these. I almost went this year, but it is on my calendar for next Sept. Did you go the first trip or the second one in Sept? I'm not sure how much difference it makes. I was watching the weather this past Sept and it looked like it was CRAZY warm this year.
Click to expand...
The weather is so unpredictable. I’d say just go, No matter what you’ll have a great time. We went second week, but I don’t think that means anything. The first several days things were pretty green. Just patches of color. The last two every thing popped. Next year it could be earlier or later, there’s really no way to account for that so far in advance. Whatever happens you’ll love it, and come home with your own amazing stories to tell!
 
Member's gallery
Chad Huff said:
I just got back from what was undoubtedly the trip of my life. I've always wanted to photograph polar bears, and when the chance came to go when the fall colors are incredible I was so grateful! I've seen lots of photos pop polar bears on ice and snow... They're gorgeous, iconic, everything you want in a wildlife photo... But that isn't the only habitat they live in. The sub-arctic, when the fall colors light up in September, is a magical place. Bears, Bird, colors, aurora, Beluga Whales... It's all there.

We went with Discover Churchill, and they were FANTASTIC hosts. Food was great, accommodations awesome, friendly and professional... Most of all LOTS of ethical wildlife shots, tons of experience in the arctic/sub-arctic tundra, and a very welcome emphasis on ethics, conservation, and teaching more than just "guiding". I feel like I came home with an education along with several thousand wonderful images. If you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend them.

Here is a sample of the sights I saw:
Click to expand...
We were there a bit before you and the colors were just changing. We also went with discover Churchill and found them to be really great. Churchill has such an interesting history and the polar bears amazing. Thanks for posting these.
 
Member's gallery
The tundra is such an interesting place. Not sure why I never thought of polar bears in the tundra. These are wonderful photos.

Care to share how you got the beluga shot?
 
Member's gallery
Chad Huff said:
I just got back from what was undoubtedly the trip of my life. I've always wanted to photograph polar bears, and when the chance came to go when the fall colors are incredible I was so grateful! I've seen lots of photos pop polar bears on ice and snow... They're gorgeous, iconic, everything you want in a wildlife photo... But that isn't the only habitat they live in. The sub-arctic, when the fall colors light up in September, is a magical place. Bears, Bird, colors, aurora, Beluga Whales... It's all there.

We went with Discover Churchill, and they were FANTASTIC hosts. Food was great, accommodations awesome, friendly and professional... Most of all LOTS of ethical wildlife shots, tons of experience in the arctic/sub-arctic tundra, and a very welcome emphasis on ethics, conservation, and teaching more than just "guiding". I feel like I came home with an education along with several thousand wonderful images. If you ever have a chance to go, I highly recommend them.

Here is a sample of the sights I saw:
Click to expand...
These are all great photographs, literally a postcard for the area. I would love to see larger versions. Thanks for sharing.
 
Member's gallery
JulieE said:
The tundra is such an interesting place. Not sure why I never thought of polar bears in the tundra. These are wonderful photos.

Care to share how you got the beluga shot?
Click to expand...
It is an interesting place for SURE. I loved it.

Ok, Belugas... Kind of a story. First, I know this isn't a "technically" great photo. Its not sharp, water was murky so its not super clear... But once you hear how I did it, you'll understand I think. Basically we went out in Zodiacs for 1/2 day on Hudson Bay, lots of Belugas around. They're curious so they swim right up to the Zodiacs. I put a GoPro on the end of a monopod and shoved it under the boat, lol... It was like finding a "needle in a hay stack" or I guess you could say "a beluga in the wide ocean"... You can't see the screen or exactly where the lens is pointed... Bluetooth connect to your phone doesn't work because the water interrupts the signal... You just HOPE you got something. Consequently, I have lots of photos of backs, fins, eyeballs, skin... My friend got a good shot of the tonsils on one :ROFLMAO:.... But I did get a few where you can clearly see they are Beluga Whales and I'm actually kind of PROUD of that, oddly. It took some work with not the best system to accomplish the task. Short of an expensive housing, a wet suit, and a snorkel I don't know if there is really a better way though. With a little time and practice I started to get it dialed end by the end.

Thanks for asking
 
Member's gallery
PhilG said:
These are all great photographs, literally a postcard for the area. I would love to see larger versions. Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...
Thanks Phil. I'm really happy with the whole experience and the images I came home with. It's a wonderful place. Glad to know you think I did it justice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top