Svalbard (4) Our first polar bear!

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When: August 2026 Weather: -5 to 5C

OM1mk2 Zuiko 150-400mm

We were getting worried after 5 days at sea with nary a polar bear sighting…..until finally one of our guides came into the lounge and said “We think there’s a polar bear out there far away!” So we piled on the layers and rushed out to the bow…..eventually we saw a faint yellow spot amongst the white arctic snow…

In the midst of the arctic ice pack, something yellowish attracted the eye….
As we drew nearer, we finally saw the polar bear nestled into its comfortable nook
she looked up..
and around….
yawn….these tourists are boring….
she finally got up….a magnificent female polar bear
unhurriedly, she began to climb out of the hollow..
Why walk though…when there’s a slope….
sliding down is more fun!
wheeee…..
we might as well put in a roll!
rolling…
How was that?
end of the slide roll…..
getting up again…
mama bear…
look left,,,
looking right
enough of these humans….I’m off…
But I’ve got an itch on my back!
Aaaaaah…..
itch assuaged…
time to go…
time for another walk
Just one more roll to show off my paws….
a stroll on the ice bergs
In my natural element…..much nicer than any zoo…
Ooops….time to do a poop!
ccrossing the floes
going on my way…
headiing away
a look back before she goes…..
until she became a mere yellow speck in the distance……
leaving nothing but bear tracks behind

What a brilliant first ever sighting of a polar bear in her natural habitat! We managed to get reasonably close…probably closer than the big luxury liners could….and took hundreds of photos…..and she would slide and roll and show off to us! All the long travel and rough seas we had encountered became worthwhile !

HIghly recommended

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