08 Aug 2016

Polar Bear, Muskoxen, Bearded Seals and Snow Geese - all in one moment of time!

More incredible experiences here at Wrangel Island in the Russian Arctic.  

Overnight we relocated and anchored near the Unexpected River mouth. We could see Polar Bears and Muskoxen on the land from the ship. After breakfast we launched the zodiacs and headed inshore, checking out a Polar Bear that had been sighted on an ice flow near the ship. Staff landed first to scope out the landing area ensure it was safe.

Once we were all ashore we found that not far from the landing site there were three Polar Bears asleep.  We crawled to a gravel bank from where we could watch and photograph them.  They were stretching and yawning showing us their full magnificent frames.  Then finally after about an hour one individual wandered down to the sea.  We had some great observations as he walked not far from us!  He must have been hot because he simply went for a swim in the ocean and returned back onto the beach before wandering off.  As this was happening a Musk Ox approached us very casually, totally unconcerned.  If it knew we were there it couldn’t have cared less.  At one point we had Polar Bear and Musk Ox on the land, Bearded Seal in the sea, and Snow Geese flying overhead.  We didn’t know which way to look! Eventually a second bear woke and ambled to the coast, it looked at us and then and then casually sat down in the water to cool off.  We watched for a while and then slowly we retreated back down the beach and to the ship.

It is an encounter with some of the planets most unique animals that none of us will forget… simply incredible.

Photo:  Chris Todd