Polar Bear Playdate

Polar Bears are those magnificent giant creatures that represent winter in its full glory. Like so many other wild animals - cheetahs, zebras and even monkeys, they appear regal and jolly as if they pose no threat to humans at all. Even as that is not the case. I remember seeing them at zoos growing up or here in Minnesota where they splash around in a cold pool or slide on a bed of ice. Very amiable fellows. Possibly even with a sense of humor.

This is a photo essay by Dmitry Kokh published recently in the Guardian. He is a wildlife photographer who was en route to a session on Russia's Wrangel Island which is a UNESCO nature preserve. He describes it as the motherlode of all places to observe Polar Bears and notes it as a maternity ward for them. One day, due to bad weather and floating ice chunks, they took shore leave at a deserted weather station on Kolyuchin Island. Among the rocky shores and abandoned buildings, they noted a "sleuth" of bears had taken over the empty dwellings.

His pictures capture a very unusual atmosphere of content and curiosity with these bears taking full ownership of the village. Again, we have to be mindful they are a dangerous and giant animal. So, with the assistance of good drone photography, Dmitry was able to get some epic images of them without disrupting them. He notes that they were curious about the buzzing of the craft, but generally uninterested. 

The expedition noted they probably landed here because of the floating ice bergs and simply swam ashore as they neared. Polars apparently have an instinct to explore and play with doors, windows and latches. So, it is not uncommon for them to venture into these empty spaces. They are also now smart enough to realize they can be prey from hunters and take refuge in a safe shelters.

Enjoy the images and read the travelogue. This is exactly what a Polar Bear life should look like.

Polar Bears in Arctic weather Station: Guardian