In the ice & at sea
As we reluctantly leave the home of the Polar bear on our return journey to civilization, we remember the memorable event of yesterday night. After dinner as we journeyed along Nordaustlandet, we again encountered the drifting pack ice. All sharp-eyed staff were on the lookout scanning the white for our illusive seal hunter—the king of the arctic.
On a large stable floe dotted with ringed seals, we encountered a sleeping female polar bear with her large 2nd year offspring. The captain skillfully maneuvered the ship, always keeping in mind the importance of staying out of the wind, which might carry our presence to the ever-vigilant nose of the resting bears. After some time, they awoke peacefully and slowly moved into our scent trail to investigate our presence.
After we had enjoyed watching them for some time, we backed away leaving them to their apparent slumber on the flat ice. Much to our amazement, as we moved away, the female leapt into the air and pouncing forcefully killed an adult ringed seal. She then dragged it into the ice hummocks to share her meal with her cub. We watched her consume her dinner with as much relish as we had done ourselves recently in the ship’s dining room! We left after an hour, another extraordinary day in the land of the ice bear.
As we reluctantly leave the home of the Polar bear on our return journey to civilization, we remember the memorable event of yesterday night. After dinner as we journeyed along Nordaustlandet, we again encountered the drifting pack ice. All sharp-eyed staff were on the lookout scanning the white for our illusive seal hunter—the king of the arctic.
On a large stable floe dotted with ringed seals, we encountered a sleeping female polar bear with her large 2nd year offspring. The captain skillfully maneuvered the ship, always keeping in mind the importance of staying out of the wind, which might carry our presence to the ever-vigilant nose of the resting bears. After some time, they awoke peacefully and slowly moved into our scent trail to investigate our presence.
After we had enjoyed watching them for some time, we backed away leaving them to their apparent slumber on the flat ice. Much to our amazement, as we moved away, the female leapt into the air and pouncing forcefully killed an adult ringed seal. She then dragged it into the ice hummocks to share her meal with her cub. We watched her consume her dinner with as much relish as we had done ourselves recently in the ship’s dining room! We left after an hour, another extraordinary day in the land of the ice bear.
