King of the Arctic

We saw several Polar Bears today as the expedition boat moved slowly and as silently as possible along the Hinlopen Strait, keeping the legal distance away from the bear.  The bear moves freely in a vast pristine expanse of snow, solitary and constantly sniffing the air.  To observe it in its wild environment, king of its domain, is simply awe-inspiring and a pure joy.

M had the powerful lens and captured some good, closer-up video of the polar bear rollicking in the snow.

Early morning we were in Alkefjellet, the nesting location for Brünich's guillemots. The sounds, sights and smells of the colony was a feast for the senses.