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After weeks of truly dreary weather with summer in Winnipeg moving seemingly right into winter we got a beautiful fall day and it was time to visit the Journey to Churchill to see the bears and how the work was going on the enlargement of their current home.

Six bears outside with 2 in a fight and the other 4 just soaking up the sun on a record warm day with temps reaching 23.6C.

When on all fours the polar bears are impressive but when they stand up and confront each other as with these 2 bears they really overwhelm one with their size and very presence.

CS5 auto contrast
Nik detail extractor
silver efex pro2 fine art, high key

Nikon D7100
AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm
f5.6 1/1000 140mm

Taken October 18, 2018.

Posted by Jan Bjorklund on Sun, 10/21/18 21:09
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Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Sun, 10/21/18 21:10

A better viewing area for these 2 polar bears but the reflection from the windows in the restaurant with the sun just rising over the hill made for a difficult shot.

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Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Sun, 10/21/18 21:11

I thought the third bear was going to join in but the third bear was just a spectator.


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Sun, 10/21/18 21:12

Meanwhile in the red kangaroo enclosure these two were sizing each other up and then they had a go at it.


Comments by Gerry Vrbensky on Mon, 10/22/18 08:19

That is being in the right place at the right time. Nice Capture.


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Wed, 10/24/18 20:35

roos fighting 001


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Wed, 10/24/18 20:35

roos fighting 002


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Wed, 10/24/18 20:36

A trap baited with smelly seal meat attracts a hungry polar bear. When the bear enters and pulls on the bait, the door closes behind it. Then the bear can be moved safely out of Churchill to a more remote location.


Comments by S Roter on Wed, 10/24/18 21:47

Great shots of the bears Jan. how tall are they ?
Good timing on the 'roos' image


Comments by Sandi MacDonald on Thu, 10/25/18 08:46

Good photos, Jan. Do the roos enjoy the winters in the zoo?;-)


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Sat, 10/27/18 13:04

Steve: The largest polar bear is Storm and the staff told me he stands at
least 8 feet tall with his arms extended he would be at least 10 feet
tall. So the size would go down to about 5 feet tall for the
youngest and smallest bears.

Sandi: The staff at the zoo told me that the kangaroos, the emus, the
peacocks go indoors for the cold months and the reasons one
doesn't see them in the winter months is that their indoor facility
is not open to the public. So how do the roos enjoy the winter...
well they enjoy their own company away from us humans.


Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Sat, 10/27/18 19:40

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Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Wed, 11/07/18 11:26

Good Day:

In response to your question our Kangaroo mob spends wintertime in a nice warm heated off display barn in behind the outdoor Kangaroo habitat. They especially love to lounge in the sunrays that come through the windows. When it hits about zero we give them indoor/outdoor access (their choice) during the day, so in the colder seasons you may see a few in the outdoor habitat during the day. Usually once it drops to be below zero on a daily basis we keep them inside.

Kind Regards,
Johanna Soto
Curator of Animal Care and Behavioral Husbandry
Assiniboine Park Zoo