“When snow falls, nature listens.” ~ Antoinette Van Kleef. Albert Saunders photo.
Christmas is an emotional time, and like polar bears, we look forward to the coming of the big snow at this time of year. It’s here now in Manitoba, but something else is missing. Together, we’re going to get it back.
In a normal world, we’d all be getting together with friends and family, sharing fun and games and intimate conversations, stories and sorries and in some cases congrats, hearts and hugs and tips of the hat.
This has been a tough year for many of you, as it has been for us. We miss our guests, our friends and our extended families. New rules have made the social contact we crave difficult, if not impossible.
“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas. It brings people together while time stands still.” ~ Rachel Cohn. Russell Millner photo.
We also missed the wildlife on the Hudson Bay coast this past season. The polar bears, the wolves, the black bears and hares, the moose and the foxes, the sik-siks and birds, the (not-so) mean wolverine who gave Scarbrow his name. We wonder if they missed us, if they missed you.
We think they did.
If we could look in their eyes right now, we’d know for sure. So would you. They’re not a lot different from people you know, look closely, you’ll see a whole different show. Whether happy or curious, or loving or sad, they don’t hide their feelings, and for that we are glad.
“I pray this winter be gentle and kind — a season of rest from the wheel of the mind.” ~ John Geddes. Dennis Fast photo.
We’ve created a Christmas photo album, of emotions and snow, a reminder of feelings, not so long ago. There’s warmth on the way, and we don’t just mean weather, we expect 2021 to be Oh! so much better.
We’d like to thank all our guests, staff, photo leaders, partners, family and friends, for contributing photos to the collection below, and for your loyal support over so many years. It’s because of you that bookings continue to arrive for the upcoming season, and we couldn’t do what we do, without you!
A new season beckons as early as March, and not long after that, the flora and fauna of the tundra will spring to life to meet the polar bears of summer. We’ll be there, as will many of you. For now, we hope you’ll enjoy the snowy emotions in the photos below, and dream of wild, far away places, with happiness on every horizon.
From everyone here at Churchill Wild (including the wild creatures!), we wish you a very, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” ~ Kahlil Gibran. Charles Glatzer photo.
Snowy Emotions: A Christmas Wildlife Photo Album
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- When snow falls, nature listens. ~ Antoinette Van Kleef. Albert Saunders photo. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
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- Scott Beach photo. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
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- Robert Hlavica photo. Seal River Heritage Lodge.
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- Ruth Elwell-Steck photo. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
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- Nate Luebbe photo. Seal River Heritage Lodge.
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- Break in the willows.
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- Andrew Lasken photo. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
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- Chase Teron photo. Seal River Heritage Lodge.
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- Soft snow on polar bear watchers.
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- Does it get any better?
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- Howling at twilight.
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- Polar bear meets guest at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Duncan Melbin photo.
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- A friendly face.
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- Arctic fox squabble!
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- Royalty at Nanuk.
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- On a mission.
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- Polar bear warning
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- Alone.
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- Arctic hares playing at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Bernice Jacobs photo.
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- How’s this?
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- Under the lights.
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- Changing colours.
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- Into the wild.
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- On your level now.
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- Candlelight and Aurora.
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- On the move!
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- Perfect pose.
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- Friends.
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- Healthy family!
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- Under the sun.
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- I’m coming aboard Mom!
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- A hug for Mom.
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- Watching the watchers.
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- Visiting hours at Seal River.
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- Silent alliance.
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- The warmth of the sun.
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- Red, green and yellow.
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- Is it seal time yet?
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- On the prowl.
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- Warrior Pete.
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- Nap time.
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- Sign language.
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- I understand.
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- Lest we forget.
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- Dreaming of…
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- At peace with nature.
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- Family outing.
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- Mighty Scarbrow!
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- This is my house.
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- Sparring in the clouds.
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- Snowstorm.
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- Emergence.
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- Resting with Mom.
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- How are you my friend?
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- I see everything.
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- At peace in the snow.
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- Seeing the future.
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- Silent friendship.
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- A kiss for Mom.
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- On a cloud.
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- Roll!
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- What?
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- Northern tree lights.
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- Seeing and thinking.
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- The nose knows.
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- Love at Nanuk.
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- What big teeth you have!
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- Camouflage.
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- Making a statement.
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- Waking up.
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- White on white.
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- Red fox. Red willows.
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- Secrets.
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- Power.
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- Ruler for decades.
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- Rooftop aurora.
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- Oh no, not again.
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- Storm coming.
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- Out of nowhere,
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- Romance at Nanuk.
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- White on blue.
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- Heading for Hudson Bay.
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- Sunset on a wolf.
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- A friendly face.
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- Boss wolverine.
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- I see it!
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- Seal River light show.
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- He means business.
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- A growl to remember.
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- Stalking wolf. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Derek Kyostia photo.
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- S-t-r-e-t-c-h.
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- Moose meeting!
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- Surprise snowstorm. Tundra Camp at Schmok Lake. Jad Davenport photo.
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- Two against the storm.
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- Nasty. For good reasons.
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- Conversation? Sure!
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- Curtain of lights. Full moon.
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- Rock ‘n roll Scarbrow.
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- Wolf saying goodbye at Nanuk. Jad Davenport photo.
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- A friend in the blizzard.
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- Snowy emotion.
I went through a lot of emotions by looking at these pictures.
Some made me smile and giggle and some made me sad.
Thanks to you and all the photographers for sharing them!
Happy Holidays!
Hi Christa! Thank you so much for your kind words! We hope all is
well with you!
Wishing you the very best for a happy, safe and warm holiday season!
On a Christmas eve night, thinking how much we lost during 2020, these photos made my heart soften. My wife and I will always cherish the time we had in the land of the great ice bear. Great facilities, wonderful staff and willing Polar Bears made our visit wonderful. I have hopes that we can work out the denning season one day soon. Thanks for helping me see the snow at the end of the tunnel!
Hi Philip! Thank you so much for your heartfelt message and kind words 💕
Yes, 2020 was a difficult year for all of us. We’re so happy you enjoyed your
time with us. These photos tug at our heartstrings too. And knowing that they
conjured up fond memories for you makes us all smile just a little bit more. 🥰.
We look forward to seeing you again! Let’s have a great 2021!
Wishing you and yours a very, Merry Christmas and a warm, safe and Happy New Year!
I loved these photos and they do grab at my heart, such beautiful animals. Would love to have a calendar showing them. Also love your coffee table book, well done.
Thank you Barbara! Glad you liked the photos and the book.
They were all a labour of love. Great idea for a calendar!
We’ll have to work on that!
Merry Christmas! 🥰
These photos are spectacular! Enjoyed every one of them. Some day soon I hope to be able to see these incredible animals in the wild. I am particularly fascinated by the wolves, as I consider them to be my spirit animal! Thank you so much for sharing!!❤️
Thank you Paula! And you are very welcome! We hope you do get to see wolves in the wild in the future. It really is an incredible experience!