Polar Bears on a frozen lake. It was a gloriously sunny day out on the tundra close to the shore of Hudson Bay near Churchill, Canada. As we made our way across the tundra we could see several bears in the distance wandering around on a very blue and frozen lake. It was lovely to see how they left tracks in the light dusting of snow. Although only a short encounter, it was magical.
Polar Bears congregate on the tundra close to Hudson’s Bay, Churchill, because this is the place they know where the bay will freeze over first and they will be able to hunt seals and have their first substantial meal in months. The bay freezes first at this location because the fresh water from the Churchill river enters the bay, reduces its salinity and hence it freezes over earlier than the rest of the bay. It’s a waiting game. It was cold when we were there but not cold enough to freeze the sea. Within a week or so of this being filmed, the temperatures plummeted and the bay began to freeze over. The Polar Bears will soon have gone from around Churchill in search of seals which will haul out on the new ice.