DonGut wrote:
Thanks Eric for explaining our situation and experience.
Some other points that I will make, not in defence but simply as an observation.
You could argue that any wildlife that is approached for photography purposes is being harassed. Almost any wildlife that hasn't been exposed to human encounters would not normally allow close approach. I have been to many places around the world and truly believe it. But that is better than approaching the bears to hunt them.
The fact is that since tourism has come to Churchill bringing people to see the polar bears, very few bears have had to be killed, and not one in over 25 years. Before that bears near town were considered a hazard and were routinely shot.
Now the bears are studied and protected and the population has been stable for years.
It takes a mom and cubs up to 10 days from the time they leave the den until they get out on the sea ice. Our encounter lasted 4 hours. So our time with the bears was only 2-3% of their time on this journey. The do rest for long periods of time during their trip, so I doubt our presence made any difference.
By showing my photos and talking about my experiences with the bears I have enlightened people about their existence and the main threat to their survival, which is global warming. The Churchill bears are the most southerly population in the world and the one most vulnerable to climate change, with most experts predicting this population will be gone in 25 years or less.
As much as I hate to think this, I believe we cannot save top predator species by ignoring them. There is just too much stress on their habitat the world over. By making them a "sustainable business" we just might be able to protect them for future generations. And that is the business of observation and photography, like it or not.
And I did talk with Morris at the Lodge in Watchee. ( I don't sleep much and they were around late at night watching hockey and shooting the breeze). He is the tracker and owner of the Lodge along with Mike, the mayor of Churchill. These guys are passionate about the bears and their safety. The bears are their business and I know they would not do anything to endanger their survival.
Thanks Eric for your description of the way the Lodge runs and our experience.
Don...Show more →
Thank you for your eloquent and thoughtful comments which are spot on. Sharing this adventure with you was really special. We have like minds and values and understand the importance that eco-tourism plays is supporting and preserving Wildlife. Neither of believes this is an untouched Garden of Eden or a Utopian vision but still realize we play a role in preserving the wilderness and those species that through our actions we have threatened. In doing so we also benefit by being able to witness behaviors and interactions that are filled with emotion and sometimes heartache and come away with memories and images to last a lifetime.
Eric
AGeoJO wrote:
Hi Eric, I am a little late in congratulating you since I am out-of-the-country now, but what a well deserved win! Thank you for your explanation about the shooting conditions there.
Joshua
Thanks so much Joshua....will look forward to what you come back with from afar...it's always top shelf and great eye candy.
---------------------------------------------
Danpbphoto wrote:
I am speechless also Eric....just absolutely exquisite images! And these were your first encounter? I am envious to the max!!
Dan
Thank you Dan....yes, first time seeing a bear...not sure any future one will top this but I'm willing to give it a go
---------------------------------------------
B Benson wrote:
Nat Geo stuff , love them. Bruce
Many thanks for your very kind comment Bruce....we were very fortunate to have such a marvelous sighting.
---------------------------------------------
Dave Bachrach wrote:
Fantastic series of images! Well done
Thanks so much Dave....having great subjects is much more than half the battle.
ytwong wrote:
Beautiful shots !
Thank you so much
---------------------------------------------
brimull wrote:
Every image is fantastic. Your images capture the essence of motherly love. Image #3 is absolutely stunning.
Brian M.
Thank you Brian....it was such a special moment to be able to share with these bears. I always hope the emotion comes through and am happy to hear that it seems to have done so.
---------------------------------------------
Scott Stoness wrote:
I am jealous - of the pictures and the opportunity - great pictures.
Good job.Scott
Thanks so much Scott....to have only one sighting and it be this one was so much more than I could have asked for.
---------------------------------------------
noelle wrote:
Haven't been on here in some time.... AMAZING!!
Thank you and I am flattered that you returned to comment on my post....I hope all is well with you and you are still producing your exquisite photographs.
I do not doubt anybody's experience, as I was there earlier in the season. We had 2 bears in 9 days.
One was pushed, hard, as she wanted to leave. She was clearly stressed. People in the van asked to stop this, but no. Some cried, yes. Mom was running back and forth, blocked by 4 vans on one side, and 2 snow mobiles on the other side, trying block escape path.
She settled down, yes. Whenever she wanted to get up, snow machines were started, with the clear intent to make her stay. If that did not work, the snow machines would cut her off, and she would come back.
When does harassment start? IMO, when the snow machines are started with the clear intent to keep the bear there when she wants to move.
Mom has not eaten in 6, possible 9 (depending if she came across food after getting off the ice) month. Why should "we" do ANYTHING to let her progress on her journey to Hudson Bay.
And yes, I am guilty, as I was there twice and supported the business.
As mentioned, Morris mentioned during the morning briefings that they are allowed by park rules to stop her 3 times. Is that true? I do not know (it would seem very odd for a national park to allow this).
Btw, worldwide polar bear population has been up over the decades, just not in Churchill.
I can obviously not comment on your experience, only mine. I feel bad that I was there and supported this.
If you consider going - this is not a solitary experience. During a shoot, there is wall of 25 or so tripods facing the bear, so everybody gets similar shots. The vans are 10-50 feet away, so this is not a "I bravely survived -40 degrees" hero event. -46 was my max. Yes, very cold, but the van is next to you.
To those of you who went - ask Robert. He has been there a gazillion times.
Peace. I am not looking for a fight (I DO have images showing the "herding" of the family, but I just want to provide my perspective).
Judy, you say you are not looking for a fight but have an obvious point of view based on your experience that you feel you are now obligated to promote. My experience was decidedly different....no herding, no blocking of the bears who were in fact sitting comfortably as we arrived. A pair of 10 week old bears are not going to walk 24 hours a day....building a day den is typical. I'm sorry if you had a traumatic experience and based on that you shouldn't return. Of course this isn't a solitary experience...no one suggested it was. And with a huge open space having 25 people with tripods about 90-100 yards from the bears causes no issue for either the photogs or the bears. And the fact that vans are close is irrelevant....we opted to keep the heat off and some windows open to keep the cameras at the close to same temp as the outside temp....but again, I fail to see why you bring this up. No one, certainly not I, suggested any suffering. You have every right to express your opinion but in my opinion this is not the proper place to do it...write to the authorities in Canada...I'm sure they will love to hear your point of view.
Very nice set Eric, though if i may give one advice. Some images have a greenish hue on parts of the animals. I have checked it on 2 different calibrated monitors and on both it's present.
KCollett wrote:
Lovely set Eric!
Thanks Ken...sorry for the delay
---------------------------------------------
RandyR wrote:
there's nothing left to say
Thank you Randy....much appreciated
---------------------------------------------
therealthings wrote:
Very nice set Eric, though if i may give one advice. Some images have a greenish hue on parts of the animals. I have checked it on 2 different calibrated monitors and on both it's present.
Thank you for the nice words as well as the advice. Being red-green color weak I often have an issue with seeing that. Before I do any printing I have my staff, aka, my normal color vision family members, check that stuff out.
---------------------------------------------
40Driggs wrote:
Amazing set with so many special moments I won't try to name a favorite.
Much appreciated....we were so fortunate to experience something so beautiful and moving.
---------------------------------------------
gcooke0522 wrote:
Excellent shots!!
Thank you for your nice words.
---------------------------------------------
runakid wrote:
I can 'bearly' contain myself. Wonderful. Were these all shot from the Tundra Buggy? how many days were you there? What time of the year?
Haha..These were not taken from a tundra buggy but on foot in an area near Churchill....there is only a small window to be able to see cubs of this age as they have just left their natal den.
---------------------------------------------
runakid wrote:
My wife said she loved the last one the best.
dan
Much appreciated and thank your wife from me.
---------------------------------------------
dalite wrote:
Nat Geo . . . but also Christmas postcards.
So nice of you to say! I haven't thought of monetizing these and in fact, the free prints for family members will likely make this a very poor business model .
.