Greetings from Churchill Canada!

Dear friends,

Hello from Churchill Canada!

Lots of exciting happenings here in the land of the polar bears. Have I seen any? YES!! Yesterday on our journey out to the Tundra Buggy Lodge, we saw, get this--polar bears, and arctic fox, a snowy owl, ptarmigans, an immature bald eagle and a short-eared owl! We were so stunned and thrilled when we saw our first few polar bears that we all ran to the windows calling to each other and laughing and snapping away with our cameras that we looked like the polar bear paparazzi, and I know we probably spooked some a bit. We were much more calm today. There is actually a polar bear outside our lodge right now, just a short distance away, taking a snooze. The arctic foxes we have seen have lovely bushy tails, and their white winter coloration, and it is fun to watch them bound lightly through the grasses and kelp trying to flush out birds and things.

The landscape is so unlike the forest surrounding us in Kentucky. There is a good view of the Hudson bay, along with lots of rocks covered with some wild looking orange lichen as well as other colors of lichen, such as black and green. We have been told that the lichen is actually a healthy snack if you scrape it off the rocks and boil it for a couple hours. We have not had to resort to that yet, as we are graciously being fed very well.

To look out in any direction and see no people, buildings, or vehicles is such a novel and strange sensation. I am small to begin with, but believe me I now feel very, very small indeed and it is humbling. At the moment the wind is blowing fiercely, and it is cold and cloudy. I can feel the lodge buggy swaying in the gusts. There may be a bit of snow tonight. At the moment the landscape is not snow or ice covered, but there was some skim ice on pools of water this morning.

It is surprising how well camouflaged the polar bears are in this setting that is not really a stark white. One bear was directly below us in the open air space between the buggy cars yesterday evening, and she or he was beautiful and majestic. Its paws are HUGE! It may be the same one that was back this morning and is lounging out there now.

There is so much to learn about this ecosystem, the animals, plants, people and all the interactions. I am making new friends and colleagues, which is fulfilling on many different levels. Thanks to all who are supporting me in this experience, and thanks to PBI (Polar Bears International) for giving me this wonderful opportunity! I will try to get some pictures sent eventually. See you soon!