This is what we saw polar bears doing, as they wait for the ice to freeze, so they can go hunt seals on Hudson Bay. Works for me. I love doing all of these things!
The cub is eating the spine with ribs attached of a mammal the bears killed and you can see the dark colored blood on the rocks from their kill site. There was also another critter here that mama and baby bear continuously growled at. Most likely another bear, but we never saw it hiding in the rocks.
Scientists disagree about whether Hudson Bay polar bears eat or hunt while they wait for the ice to freeze, but this cub has the blood on his paw to prove he does both!
We nearly missed this big bear swimming near our zodiac.
Here he is leaving the water.
And of course the play. We saw mamas and cubs spending lots of time playing.
Cubs practice hunting techniques with this play.
And, like all young creatures, they like to play!
It is so heartwarming to observe the strong bonds between patient mother and playful cub.
Polar bears are not white. They have black skin and hollow transparent fur that conducts heat down their fur like straws to be absorbed by their black skin. Their fur appears white because it reflects sunlight. Polar Bears are efficient solar heat generators, but this makes them uncomfortable in arctic summer weather.
They spend a lot of time taking siestas (and scratching) always near water for a cool dip.
Here is another wet bear. Please forgive and bear with me, as I break my own rule on posting too many photos! I couldn’t resist and I do appreciate your patience. We are home now and I won’t be posting more bear photos for a long while.
A different mother with a much bigger cub, that I shot from the zodiac on the bay. Cheers to you from the stunning bears of Hudson Bay~
Please. Don’t apologize for posting a lot of photos. I love them all. They are amazing.
Was that a lobster I saw?
I’m amused at the gull in the background.
Oh, thank you very much for your patience. I really don’t like barraging people with too many photos so I appreciate your thoughtfulness. The cub is eating a bloody spine, with ribs attached, from a mammal of some sort. This mother and cub stayed here for several days, eating and sleeping and defending the kill with growls. You can see the blood all over the rock. Sorry to be so blunt. But that is what this is.
Wow. Looked just like a lobster. And, we could just as easily have been their prey. In certain circumstances, we aren’t always at the top of the food chain. They are cute but, deadly.
Still love the shots even with the gore. It is what it is.
I thought it looked like a lobster, too, but of course, how could a polar bear get hold of a cooked lobster?
Very true. On the other hand, if a polar bear wanted your cooked lobster, you would most likely give it to her! ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
The polar bear wins!
Speaking of, where did you get that polar bear emoji? I’ve never seen an emoji overlap words above it. It looks weird on my phone.
Laughing….I like it too. It’s a bear that gets your attention. I google polar bear emoji and it was about the third or fourth one down.
Yes, I most certainly would!
<3
Nah. It looked live to me. I’m pretty sure they eat anything in the sea.
Exactly. The real world of nature.
Whoa…so close. My son will go wild seeing this! Thank you lot of photos, loved all of them.
Makes me happy big time, that your son will see this! I love kids <3 ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
They are magnificent!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed all your pictures of them!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Ahhh, so kind of you Zoe. I <3 you for loving polar bears ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Wow! All great pics. And the lobster! This looks like it was a fun trip for you!
It was worth everything, and more, to go there <3
Oh my goodness – this has jumped a number of places up my bucket list now! Fabulous experience- how glorious are these creatures! Thanks so much for sharing!
I don’t even know how to describe how it feels to watch them happy, living, and healthy. I wasn’t expecting this.
These are such fabulous photos! You needn’t worry about posting too many. I loved scrolling through them all. 🙂
Awww, you make me happy. Thank you.
YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT A PHOTOGRAPH CINDY, SO THE MORE THE MERRIER. IT’S STRANGE PARENTS GIVE STUFFED POLAR BEARS TO THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE POLAR BEAR IS THE MOST DEADLY ANIMAL ON THE PLANET APART FROM VENOMOUS ONES, GREAT POST CINDY, CHINA
They are formidable creatures. Unless of course you compare them to us.
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
Love to you kind person <3 ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
You can never post too many photos Cindy! These are phenomenal! I had no idea that polar bears fur wasn’t actually white. I’m going to have to share that with my hubby in the morning.😁
I love it so much when my blogging friends tell me they are going to share a post, with a family member. This means you valued something enough to share it with someone you love. This is the biggest honor to me ever. It makes me happy. Thank you so much & love to both of you ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้ <3
Incredible shots, Cindy. What a trip it must have been. They do look so cuddly, though they would not be happy if we tried to give them a hug. 🙂 Never too many pictures of these magnificent creatures. I love them all, but the one of the guy napping on the edge of a pond made me smile.
Laughing…..they might be happy with your hug, but you wouldn’t be! Thank you so much Marie. Your comments made me smile ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Cuddly beasts.🙂
Indeed ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
What a truly wonderful experience you are having with the polar bears so close. I have only seen one in a zoo (poor fellow!!!) so am enjoying seeing your photographs of them out in the wild.
It is such a difference isn’t it. They look….happy!
Don’t apologise, I love the photos and what an experience to see them up close and personal Cindy. Thanks for sharing.
Grazie mille Sheree <3
Oh no, don’t run out of photo’s, I was enjoying every moment of
yourmy holiday dear lady 😀And I do appreciate the share, usually it is just a snap or two but have now shared much more of their lives with a whole new meaning. It is only then that we can appreciate their lives and relate to them from a whole new level. Thank you 😀
Oh. Your incredibly kind thoughts truly touched my heart. Thank you so much & be well my friend <3
Magnificent pictures – those bears are an impressive sight.
Aren’t they awesome! Savage beauties.
No idea they had black skin but I love the shot of the one flaked out in the heat! (I sometimes feel like that here 🙂 ) And the cubs are beyond adorable.
Laughing….I do too and I would nap by that pond too, if there weren’t polar bears around!
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
More beautiful polar bear photos taken by Cindy Knoke at Hudson’s Bay.
You are such a thoughtful friend Patricia. Thank you <3
They look good and well fed for polars living in the wild. When I saw these pictures first I thought they were taken in a zoo. Great pictures !!
Isn’t it heartening to see them thriving in the wild. I was so happily surprised <3
.Oh yes, especially when you hear so many are dying in the wild.The one you showed looked really good and happy !!
<3 <3
These bear pictures from you will always win us over. So beautiful and the last one is our favourite! Those bear faces… 💖 how dangerously cuddly they look.
Dangerously cuddly remains me of “savage beauty.” Utterly accurate & thank you!
There are never too many pictures of polar bears and yours are amazing. What a special trip for you, one you will never forget. Thanks for sharing. xo
Thank you more for your thoughtfulness Darlene & cheers to you <3
Wow!! Incredible shots of these beautiful polar bears, Cindy. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you more for appreciating them my friend ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Awww, Cindy, I’m so glad you broke your own rule and if you ask me… I wouldn’t mind more shots! Wonderful shots and brilliant post! You are right, animals adjust, they always have – history proves it! Thank you so much! 🙂
You are very kind Marina & most appreciated too! Thank you <3
🙂 🙂
This is not too many. This is fascinating. And thank you!
Merci beaucoup mon ami ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
<3 how cute is that!!!!!
Cuddly predators <3
Liebe Cindy, toller Beitrag wieder, ich hoffe, es ist alles gut bei dir?
Danke mein Freund. Mir geht es gut und ich hoffe du auch!
Great pics, interesting story Cindy! Now I know so much about polar bears!
We both learned a lot on this trip Gary <3
These are wonderful Cindy! I can only imagine the feeling of excitement and awe at being present with these amazing creatures. I especially love the last photo of mother and cub, with the seagull photobombing and adding to the scene 😎
Laughing…..Don’t you love gulls! They are always crashing someone’s party.
They sure do!!
<3
I don’t how you could bear to leave these bears. They are so fascinating.
Leaving them was unbearable ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
You can never have too many good polar bear shots!
You are very kind. Grazie ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
They are wonderful😍
I <3 people who <3 ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้'s!
I think that everything that is related to nature is amazing in this world. There is only one animal that is totally disconnected and I don’t like at all… 🙄😔
Interesting that polar bear cubs learn their adult skills through play, just like human children!
Exactly, and they have fun doing it!
😀
Thanks for lots more great polar bear photos. I see that the young one also had a lobster, just for a little snack, I guess. 🙂
I especially like the final photo because of the bird in it. I’m not good at identifying birds. Is it a gull of some sort?
Yes it is a gull. They are so smart. I’ve seen them hanging out with grizzly bears too, just waiting for some scraps!
They make me wish I were a bear cub… 😉
YES!!! I feel the same. What awesome mama’s these polar bears are ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
😄
I admired your last post and thought it can’t get any better than this. Oh, how wrong I was. These photos on the polar bears at the Hudson Bay are fantastic. I like all the pictures, Cindy.
Your thoughtfulness makes me happy I posted. Thank you so much Peter & cheers to you my friend.
Another marvellous set illuminated by informative and entertaining captions
Cheers to you Derrick & sincere thank you my kind friend ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Precious photos, Cindy! I personally would love more bear pictures! 😊
Your kindness makes my <3 smile. Thank you ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Absolutely gorgeous photos! <3
You are a very thoughtful friend Linda, thank you! ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
I love all the bear photos. I could easily fall in love with them, especially with your fun backstories and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing them Cindy.
You are a wonderful friend Brad. Thank you & cheers too!
Thanks Cindy! 🙂
I love the bear photos. Never too many, Cindy. They’re beautiful.
I <3 my friends who <3 ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้'s!
Excellent photos, Cindy 🙂 Long may polar bears survive and not become the victims of climate change.
Amen sister <3
Loved every photo, Cindy. What a wonderful experience!
So kind of you Susan & so appreciated too! Thank you ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
The last one is superb! Lovely shots.
Thank you very much for seeing them through to the end. I save the best for last for people like you <3
Herzlichen Dank für diese tollen Bilder von diesen eindrücklichen Tieren. Grüsse Ernst
Danke, dass du die Bären schätzt, mein Freund und Prost! ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
What a magnificent animal they are Cindy. The first photo looks like the mom bear is eating a cooked lobster. They’re usually a dark green when uncooked. What could it be?
Leslie
It is a spine with ribs attached from some sort of mammal, likely a seal. They are gorgeous aren’t they ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
They are!
<3
Great pictures!
Thank you Charlotte & cheers to you my friend ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
🙂 You’re welcome!
<3 <3
No such thing as too many of your photos, Cindy. These bear pics are so unusual for the rest of us who don’t get out there to see them firsthand. This has been an enlightening series and I’ve really enjoyed the bear photos. Have a great weekend. I’m glad you’re home now and not being gnawed on by a hungry polar bear.
Laughing…..You are a lovely friend. Thank you for your thoughtfulness & be well ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
😉 The feeling is mutual.
Nature at it’s finest. Great pctures
Honored Francis. Thank you very much.
Amazing photos, Cindy 😀
The bears seen in their natural element, wonderful.
Thanks much Irene. It feels good to see them happy and free doesn’t it ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Yes, it does Cindy, so much.
<3
I enjoyed seeing the bears through your lens, Cindy. It’s inspiring to know that this population is faring well.
It is very necessary good news isn’t it! Thank you Eliza ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
Thanks for the uplifting images.
Grazie mille <3
It is just so wonderful to see these wonderful animal in all they are doing! Thank you for these excellent pictures.
Thank you more for appreciating the bears & cheers to you my friend <3
Cindy, you can never post too many of your wonderful photos. xxx
Your polar bear shots are beautiful, Cindy. 🙂
You are a kind friend. Cheers to you <3
Hard to imagine you got to see this in live action. Awesome!
It was thrilling!
You are so very blessed to be able to truly see, experience and feel life as true life on our world is, and these beautiful bears are equally as blessed to have you to show the world that they too are here. 💖💖💖
What an incredibly kind and very thoughtful comment. Thank you very much & cheers to you <3
Hi Cindy. I like reading the comments section. They often send me back to your photographs for 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th takes. This one from Planet Dream did that, but also made me think about “feel[ing] life as true life on our world is”– and encouraged me to try to do that too: feel, not just see.
What perceptive and lovely thoughts. So much of life is hard, but all the other parts, the beauty, joy and love, is enhanced when we take the time to perceive the wonder with all of our sensory ability. Peace and beauty to you Albert.
So very much my pleasure Cindy, all of it true and then some. <3
Your thoughtfulness makes me smile ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ
Good, and I’m humbled to be able to cause it. 😁🥰
<3
💗
So this is really quite silly, but when I saw your first picture – I thought the polar bear was carrying a lobster. And I was amused, thinking how I too like lobster and was curious as to how she/he caught it. …and then I noticed all the blood and promptly realized it was probably ribs on an angle. Oh my! lol. 😂
Not silly at all and you are not alone, lots of people thought it was a lobster, so I had to change the narrative to explain that it was what was left from a kill. It does look like a lobster!
I think I mentioned before. From the views, it looks you are watching them close. I am sure you are at the safe distance away. Watching them eat and play like that, I think one can feel being intimidated by such powerful creatures. Great captures and the narrative.
Yes, I have telephoto, and always observe wildlife from a overly conservative safe distance. The shots aren’t quite as good as if I got closer, but it keeps the bears and myself safe. Thank you for caring my friend <3
Gorgeous shots, Cindy, and fascinating about the bears’ fur!
Thanks Terri. The more I learn about polar bears the more interesting they become <3
So nice! Enjoyed seeing pictures n reading the write up..
<3
What a marvellous series of images, Cindy. I enjoyed them immensely.
It’s also a lovely display of Mother-child relationships and how close the bond is between them.
I admit to a little envy of what must have been a rather exciting trip seeing the bears in their natural habitat.
Thank you Vicki for your most thoughtful words. The mother child bond among these bears was so powerful it was palpable. Incredibly moving to see in the wild.
I want to be a polar bear. Errr…maybe not cos I’ll feel icesolated. Do you think I’m bipolar? LOL! On a serious note, stunning shots as always, my friend. ₍₍ ◝(●˙꒳˙●)◜ ₎₎
I think you are awesome just the way you are! <3 I however, would like to fly……. Laughing.
I can see you soaring, my friend. ⊹⋛⋋(◐⊝◑)⋌⋚⊹
I hope you will post these polar bear pictures again and again…I have LOVED them!! Such a joy to see.
Welcome home!
You are a lovely friend, my friend <3
No need to apologize Cindy for too many pics of the polar bears. I loved them all and all the info. you have provided with it and such incredible images close up. How do you manage to get so close and get those shots like that? And then to be in a Zodiac out there in the wild with them in their natural habitat. How wonderfully exciting and amazing opportunities you have. Enjoy them all while you can. It is great to be able to have your son accompany you on all these trips too? And your husband too?
You are very kind Joyce and much appreciated my friend and yes, hubby always is with me. He is my travel partner in crime and we go everywhere together, when one of the kids comes along, so much better. Hope all is well with you my friend <3
There can never be too many bear photos and thank you so much for teaching me more about them. I did not know about their fur and skin color. Amazing creatures that I hope we don’t lose.
Life the wild symbols of the north would be terrible. Thank you Marlene & cheers my friend <3
You can never post too many pictures of polar bears! Wonderful, Cindy. It must have been an amazing adventure.
Alison
Thanks Alison. It was an awesome adventure <3
What marvelous creatures. And amazing that they feel the summer as oppressive due to high efficient way to get heat. Tender chronicle ^_^
So happy you enjoyed the bears & cheers to you!
There are never enough polar bear photos!
I <3 people who <3 bears!
Thank you for posting these photos. You can never post too many photos.
These polar bears are too cute, love these playful photos. 🙂
Thank you for your thoughtfulness & thank you Amy <3
Amazing animals and no, your photos are never too many.
Wow. A-mazing, Gracie. ‘Bear’ with me? Puh-leeze. What a special treat to be able to see them in the wild.
These a pictures are lovely. I enjoyed them all. Thank you for sharing
Cindy, you could have continued with several dozen more, these are so beautiful! I especially love the Momma and baby cub captures, so endearing, they made me smile. Some day I hope to see a polar bear in the wild. 🙂
They are beautiful!
The title for retired me would be the same except to substitute SING for swim. Love it!
Oh, I failed to mention, “how much I like to spend my time in singing, some joyous song….”
“Joy is everywhere, finiculi finincula!”
Oh so true: “Joy is everywhere, finiculi finincula!” Joy, beauty and love are in the eyes of the beholder. Thank you for the comment, Cindy.
<3 <3
What an amazing life you live. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you much more for your thoughtful kindness.
I so enjoyed every single photo, Cindy. There is never enough of your outstanding photography. Really. And, thank you!
Your kindness moves my heart. Thank you Jennie.
I’m so glad, Cindy. You’re most welcome.
<3 <3
Such lively limber creatures, Cindy! Amazing slices of nature you mange you capture! 😊
Thanks much Felipe for your thoughtful appreciation & cheers my friend~
A fabulous series on polar bears, Cindy. Your images are a thrill to see. 🙂
You are a very kind friend Jane, thank you!
Spectacular animals.
Perfect descriptor of the ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ’s
Eat, play,swim, spleep.
sounds like a good life to me. Sorry for that little animal the devour though….there a majestic animals. Very much enjoyed the post.
Thank you my friend. Your thoughtfulness means a lot to me. I hope you know how much I like you Charly, and how much I am rooting for you, always. We are all so much better than our demons. We just need to shrug them off to start to know. Trust me on this and take care of yourself my friend.
I do really appreciate your comment. I´m trying taking myself good, mother is not doing to good, she told me to go today. I better leave the drink out and really concéntrate on what is truly is important. Although the drinking….. hard to leave, I just woke up and I´m trembling and is only almost 9 a.m here. So what do I go see here trembling? Is that gonna do anything to help my mother? Demons thant I créate for myself and eventually for the other people that truly love me. I do want to spend with her as much time and good times that is as long as she lasts. So I´ll have to take the pills to take out the trembling. I just told you quite a lot, although I do write it in my own blog, I just dumb and weird.
You take care that is what is also important.
Your mother wants to be with you especially if you are trembling. You are all that matters to her. I am glad you will be with her. Love is strong medicine Charly, help yourself to lots of it. You deserve it my friend and so does your mother. I am so sorry you are both going through all this pain. Take your pills my friend and keep talking. Talking takes courage which you have and brings us from despair towards light. I don’t know what program you are working, or if you are, but please my friend, go to an AA group, they are free and are filled with people who have been where you are now, and go see a doctor to help ease the shakes and withdrawal. Alcohol is too big of a demon for any mere mortal to tackle alone. But you can tackle it with help and your life will have hope again my friend. Trust me. Love to your mother and to you Charly. You are both in my prayers now daily.
What takes my shakes is to first take 10 of those tranquilizer pills to stop the sweat and shakes but why I ask myself, I´m with “mommy” today, helping her move this to that place so and and so forth. I managed.
She is my mother.
And thank you a lot for the kind-wise words Cindy.
10 is a ton. Pop into the doc Charly. They can give you better help with the shakes. You and your mom are both in my thoughts and prayers.
There’s no such thing as too, many polar bear photos! Lol!
God no! They are so utterly awesome. Bring em’ on, and thank you Canada for protecting them <3
<3
That’s absolutley incredible! It’s hard for a city dweller like me to even imagine it:)!
I was just reading your poetry before I read this comment. I am super impressed with your honesty and integrity.
Thank you, Cindy, your words mean a lot.
<3
This post just makes me happy, Cindy. At first, I thought he was eating a lobster and wondered who cooked it! Wonderful to see these endangered bears living free.
Yes, the whole trip restored some of my hope. Seeing healthy, protected bears and belugas is cause for happiness. Thank you Kerry <3
Unless you are tremendously exceptional at posing these wild animals the way you want, they are all candid shots. However, the next to the last picture looks like posed full body portraiture. Enjoy your photo egallery.
Thank you! I usually save the best for last to reward people like you who look at them all. Polar Bears are regal looking animals and they do assume these almost studio directed postures.
I really admire your photography. 🌹👍
I am honored. Thank you very much & lovely to meet you.
It’s my pleasure,you are most welcome.🌹🙏
<3
💞💕
Another beautiful Polar Bears series!
Alexander L.
Cindy these are beautiful photos I love polar bears! <3
Thank you and I <3 people who <3 polar bears!
Me too! They are so beautiful I painted one a couple years ago you can see it here: https://yesterdayafter.com/2017/12/16/holidays-art-more-of-the-15-days-of-wintmas/
Your work is full of joy, beauty and serious talent. I am truly impressed. Plus, looking at your art makes me happy.
This makes me so happy! Thank you it means so much to me!
Good, because it is true. <3
I love your bear photos Cindy. They are so gorgeous. 🙂
I <3 people who <3 bears! Thank you.
Aww that’s so sweet. <3 xxx
Who doesn’t like polar bears? (Seals!)
Very true!
Reblogged this on ckbooksblog and commented:
As fuzzy and lovely as these critters are, they are wild!
Thank you for your thoughtfulness Christine and for supporting the ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้ ‘s!