This is a view from inside the Tundra Vehicle, note the size of the body of water we are crossing.  These things can cut through snow, ice and rough terrain with ease.

Here’s another shot out the front window.  Note by this afternoon with the windchill the water was freezing fast.

Here’s Ramon, Harold, Brian and Sue in the foreground taking some shots of our first polar bear sighting of the day.

Here’s a shot of Collin with a polar bear snoozing right outside our window.

You know what happens one kid gets their photo taken and they all what to do it.  OK Brian your turn ...

With luck that only Brian has he drew the salmon sandwich for lunch today ... guess how we sent out to attract the bears in the afternoon.

This is the MV Ithaca, which ran aground up here in 1961 in the midst of a foggy morning.  The crew got off safely at low tide and the ship has remained here ever since. At low tide you can walk out to her.

Here is a view of the Hudson Bay coastline from the Tundra Vehicle, you can just see the slush starting to freeze which will form the ice.  Once the ice forms the bears can be gone in as quick as 12 to 24 hours.

This is the Tundra hotel, you can actually come out here and stay for four day stretches.   If you look closely and count in three car lengths from the right and look below you will see a sleeping polar bear on the by the shoreline.

Here’s another view with a Tundra Vehicle beside the complex with folk viewing the polar bears.  Note if you come out to stay here you can’t leave the complex even for a walk.

OK here comes the polar bear shots .... This guy wanted to try a Nikon or way he just ready for his close-up.

I’ll check the tire pressure for you while I’m down here.

This guy decided to stop and give the driver directions, the large adult males have no problem reach right up to the window.

Now he's coming over to check us out.

A close-up, he is only about 12 feet away.

Check out his black tongue.  That’s right polar bears have black tongues.

Time for a little snow play.

OK boys, keep it fare.  A younger bear watches from the distance.

They are getting closer ...

Check out the size of this guy and the size of his legs and paws.

Head shot.

They like digging in the snow.  They pick up a scent and try to find what it is.

Here’s another shot that shows you the massive size of their paws.

Here’s a close-up of one of the paws as he passes close to the front window.

They have an extremely sensitive nose.

A little more sparing ... This helps them prepare to head back out onto the ice.

And up on the hind legs they go.

As I mentioned before sparing is a way to condition themselves as the prepare for the harsh conditions ahead.

OK 3 point deduction for unnecessary holding.

OK shake paws and come out fighting.

If you look closely you can see their breath as they expel all this energy.

Another sparing shot, it was great just to put the camera down and watch.

Going for the ear.

Here is a couple of bears checking out another Tundra Vehicle as it passes.

This guy is now trying to cool off after all that sparing.  As I said in todays blog this is still warm weather to a polar bear.

Do I have something on my face?

The other polar bear is now going to take a rest and cool off.

After dinner we visited with Peter and Mary in their Inuit Tepee.  This was great fun and very interesting.

This is carved from caribou antlers.

Sue models a head dress, made by Mary.

Ela tries her hand at an Inuit game that they would play.

Collin tries on a pair of sunglasses made from caribou antlers.  The ice and snow are make it very difficult to see on a bright day.

Peter played the drum and Mary sang a traditional Inuit song.

Mary shows us her outfit made of caribou hides.  The pouch on the back is were the women would carry their babies.

Here is the outside of the tepee.

Well ... you guessed it that’s the end of today’s blog and shots.  We’ll be back with more stories and images from Churchill tomorrow.  Good night.