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Churchill: Birds of the ArcticJune 2-10, 2006Additional information |
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What Past Participants Have Said return to top "Your photo tour to Churchill was highly organized, non–stressful and just plain fun. The pre–trip suggestions were clear and very helpful. This trip exceeded my expectations and the photographic opportunities were outstanding. I would highly recommend any of your tours to discriminating participants looking for a very high quality photography experience." —Steve Carlisle, Washington "I found your Churchill trip to be extremely well organized. You always got us to the right place at the right time. Your pre–trip correspondence regarding travel, photo gear, clothing, weather, etc., was exceptional—way above what I have seen with other tours." —Bob Johnson, Washington Lodging return
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to top Itinerary for the 2006 Photo Tour return to top
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to top Transportation return
to top You can travel to Churchill via Winnipeg, Manitoba, via plane or train. There are no roads to Churchill. About the location return
to top But Churchill’s location at latitude 58 degrees 46 minutes North gives it over 18 hours of sunlight in June, and the Arctic summer is brief but intense. Birds such as Ruddy Turnstones, which pass through on their migration to nesting grounds still further north, and Arctic Terns, which stay and nest in large numbers, arrive in late May. In short order, the ice breaks up, the tundra pools thaw, and birds begin a furious period of nesting. By the end of June, chicks are wandering among Arctic wildflowers on the tundra. In early July, many adult shorebirds are gathering for their long southward migration, while Beluga whales by the thousands are crowding the mouth of the Churchill River where they breed. While Churchill is famous as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," bear sightings are a rare treat during the Tour period in June. The bears typically migrate through Churchill in the Fall, awaiting the formation of the Hudson Bay ice sheet where they hunt for their principal food source, seals. Because of the former presence of a military base, Churchill is surrounded by a network of roads that allow unparalleled access to its unique environments. This makes it possible for us to find and photograph a wide array of species and habitats in a relatively short distance. Churchill is truly an extraordinary bird and nature photography experience that bird and nature photographers won’t want to miss. I have observed over a hundred species of birds in Churchill. The following is a partial list of the bird species that we have photographed at close range on previous tours:
A complete list of birds sighted in Churchill and their relative abundance is found in Bonnie Chartier's excellent book, A Birder's Guide to Churchill. Photographer Guidelines
return to top A message from the trip leader return
to top "My photographs are published in such magazines as Birder's World, Birdwatcher's Digest, Nature and Wildlife, Outdoor Traveler, and WildBird. My work appears in numerous calendars including Sierra Club and Audubon, and numerous books and advertisements. I am a full time nature photographer and workshop leader. "Past participants have been very enthusiastic about their experiences. Our small group size allows you plenty of time for your questions. I work hard to make your trip memorable and productive. I hope you’ll consider joining us! "Feel free to call, write, or E–mail if you have any questions. References from past participants are available upon request." —Ralph Paonessa |
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