Nestled on the edge of the Arctic, where the icy embrace of the Hudson Bay meets the rugged terrain of the Canadian wilderness, lies Churchill, Manitoba. Known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" and a prime destination for witnessing the Northern Lights, Churchill had been on my bucket list for years. I was finally able to make the trip in November 2023.
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Polar bear walking. Photo by Paul Zizka.
Two polar bears sparring on the tundra. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Housed safely aboard a Frontiers North Tundra Buggy ® I had several days out on the tundra to watch for polar bears, and keep my eyes out for the aurora borealis. Miraculously, everything converged once night and I was able to capture my dream image: a polar bear under the northern lights. What’s more, we had numerous bear sightings, never going more than 10 minutes without seeing one somewhere out there (and often right up next to the buggy).
Frontiers North Tundra Buggy. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Tundra Buggies near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Sunset over Frontiers North Tundra Buggy. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Curious polar bear in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Polar bear snoozing, Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A polar bear strikes a regal pose. Photo: Paul Zizka.
One particularly special encounter was witnessing a mother with three cubs. We witnessed an incredibly intimate moment as she nursed them right there in the land. Sadly, one of the cubs was quite emaciated and had a hard time keeping up with the clan. The group became separated and the cub was left on its own, with very little chance of survival. Such is the life on the tundra, which was both humbling and heartbreaking to witness.
A mother bear and three cubs in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Three polar bears cubs on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba. The left-hand one was markedly smaller. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A mother bear nurses three cubs out on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A mother bear and three cubs in Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A mother bear scares away a male on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Mama bear leads her three cubs with another Tundra Buggy ® in the distance. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The stars aligned one night when the aurora borealis came to dance, and not one but two polar bears showed up at the same time. I frantically ran from one end of the buggy to the other trying to capture the scene as the polar bears moved over the tundra. It was one of those moments that, as a photographer, I needed to rely on my ingrained technical knowledge because I had to work very quickly. I am thrilled to have come away with a few shots.
Polar bear under northern lights near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Two polar bears under northern lights near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The Frontiers North Tundra Buggy under Northern Lights. Photo: Paul Zizka.
I am so grateful to have finally gotten the chance to photograph these remarkable creatures in Churchill, Manitoba. I hope you enjoy the collection.
A mother and cub polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Polar bears cuddling on the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A mother and cub polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
If something catches your eye, please check out the Limited Edition print collection on the shop (and reach out to me for any custom prints if you don’t see an image there).