Polar Bear Mother and Cubs

Experience the Majesty of Polar Bears in Wapusk National Park

Hemmings Photo Tours - February 13th - 23rd 2025 - 2 spots open!

Visit www.hemmingsphototours.com for details and to sign up.

Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness and photograph polar bear mothers and their adorable cubs as they emerge from their dens and make their way to Hudson Bay. This unique experience is led by professional photographer David Hemmings, who will guide a select few participants to capture one of nature's most remarkable occurrences.

What to Expect

Witness polar bear mothers and their young cubs in their natural habitat.
Capture stunning photographs in the breathtaking winter scenery of frozen tundra.
Experience ground-level views to truly appreciate these majestic creatures.

Location

Wapusk National Park, known for its beautiful landscapes and rich wildlife, provides the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable adventure. Northern Manitoba, Canada.

Why Join Us?

Professional guidance from experienced photographer David Hemmings.
Small group size for a more personalized experience.
Opportunity to learn photography techniques specific to wildlife and winter landscapes.

Don't miss this chance to connect with nature and enhance your photography skills while capturing the beauty of polar bears in their snowy environment.

Polar Bear Life

In recent years, polar bears have encountered numerous challenges. The changing climate and diminishing food resources pose significant issues for these remarkable animals annually. Despite these obstacles, they continue to persevere. Seize the opportunity to witness this extraordinary phenomenon up close before it is too late.

Every nature photographer should seize this unique opportunity. The winter polar bear mother and cubs experience is tailored for dedicated photographers and bear enthusiasts. The environment is cold, the air is crisp, and then the moment arrives: the mother polar bear emerges from the den with her newborn cubs, ready for you to capture. Ensure your memory cards are ready and remember to breathe. If conditions are favorable, we may also have the chance to photograph the mesmerizing northern lights. We have extensive experience in cold and winter photography and have been guiding this workshop for over 15 years.

Adventure Overview:

This destination has long been a treasured secret among naturalists and dedicated nature photographers. During this excursion, we will venture into the tundra wilderness, staying at a beautifully refurbished former navy communications base, now a tundra lodge, located near Wapusk National Park and the world's largest polar bear denning area. The lodge is situated 300 feet atop an ancient beach ridge, approximately 40 miles south of Churchill, Manitoba. It offers a commanding view of the expansive Hudson Bay lowlands, which extend to the shores of Hudson Bay, featuring one-sided spruce trees, tundra hummocks, small lakes, and willow-lined creeks. This region is home to the world's largest land predator—the Polar Bear. Participants will experience the breathtaking beauty of this northern landscape while exploring the foremost Polar Bear denning area on the planet.

Our adventure will be guided by local experts whose knowledge is unparalleled. The lodge and guides maintain an impeccable safety record, with no incidents reported between bears and humans.

We will spend 8 remarkable days searching for and photographing polar bear mothers with their cubs. With luck, we may even observe a mother with three newborn cubs at the den. Our transportation will be Mattrack vehicles, essentially panel vans equipped with snow tracks. Once our guides locate the polar bears, we will be alerted via radio and set out to find them. This location also provides an excellent opportunity to photograph the Aurora Borealis (the northern lights) after dark, so be sure to bring a wide-angle lens. Our typical day will begin with a hearty early morning breakfast accompanied by a great cup of coffee.

Our goal is to locate and photograph the bears and cubs every other day. However, this can be challenging, and it is not uncommon to go a few days without sightings. Nature is unpredictable and depends on numerous factors, including weather patterns and the behavior of the bears themselves. Successfully finding and photographing the mothers and cubs will take patience and dedication.

Physical requirements

There is very little walking or hiking. Once we arrive via our vehicles to the bears location we will exit the vans and walk a short distance to set up our tripods and begin shooting.

Equipment required

Good dslr or mirrorless camera body/bodies

Good quality telephoto or prime lens.

Good quality carbon fiber tripod

Cold weather clothing, list will be supplied upon joining.