arctic moments
i wanted to create a space dedicated to the belugas and polar bears of Churchill, Manitoba. never in my wildest dreams did i imagine i would meet either of these species, let alone spend time on the water with them.
Churchill is a magical place where people and nature meet in the rawest way. what makes it remarkable is how the community embraces its wild neighbors. polar bears still roam their historic migration path through town, and rather than pushing nature aside, the people of Churchill have learned to coexist with them. the bears have always belonged there — we are the visitors. the people of Churchill recognize this, and it’s a perspective the rest of us could learn from.
ocean rule #27 states that if a beluga smiles at you, it’s legally binding that you love it forever.
beluga boarding allows the animal to control the encounter. and control they did- leaving grown men on our trip giggling with those silly smiles.
these belugas were endlessly endearing — but put them in the water with a polar bear and you quickly see mother nature’s sense of humor. shortly after these photos were taken, a small pod of belugas turned the bear into the unwilling star of their own soda pop commercial. They dove deep, circled close, and surfaced with streams of bubbles aimed squarely at his rear. the bear, clearly annoyed, could only gaze back at us in exasperation, knowing there was nothing he could do about the cheeky bullies who had spoiled his cold bath
and, of course, there were eagles…
beneath the surface of the arctic’s fading ice, a silent transformation is underway. these belugas- curios, social, and deeply adapted to the cold- are navigating waters that grow warmer each year. As sea ice retreats their ancient rhythms are being disrupted. climate change isn’t just melting ice; it’s unraveling the fabric of entire ecosystems.
some encounters change you. my time spent with these belugas did just that. they met us with curiosity, blew bubbles back in reply, and wore grins that said ”i know your secrets”. these belugas were more than just beautiful- they were funny playful and heartbreakingly endearing. their world is icy, wild, and full of wonder- moments like these are why we protect the ocean.
if ever there was a trip that i purposefully procrastinated reviewing photos, it was this one. it feels so final when i’m done with photos. i still don’t want this one to be over so i’m taking my time. check back as i slowly bring this trip to a close…more to come.