In Search of Isbjørn.

[Richprins]

You promised lunch, you swine!

Not everybody is following here for the animal pics, you know!


Interesting that you prefer the Poms, Dewi! -O




(What was for supper?)

[Sprocky]

(What was for supper?)

Chicken and potatoes.

[nan]

superb... seems they walk on the water
and the Poms
and the Isbjørn swiming

[Mel]

The fulmar sequence is superb, but I'm still in favour of the swimming Isbjørn.

[Dewi]

Thanks Sprocky, Lisbeth, PRWIN, Richprins, Nan & Mel.

[Dewi]

Tha larger of the two females continued swimming towards a nearby floe.



She hauled herself out of the water and onto the ice with relative ease.



Still dripping wet, she checked us out unconcernedly.



Sniffing the air to pick up our scent.



She came even closer. My excitement levels were at fever pitch, along with others onboard who were seeing this in front of our eyes.



She turned and went over to the edge of the ice again.



It was at this point that my camera's lack of video capabilities meant that I could not capture fully exactly what happened next so I'm posting a link to one of the Swedish passengers You Tube clip, who was filming on deck nearby. Tine and her husband Lennart have been reading along with us here, so hello to you up there in Sweeden.



Great clip Tine. Thanks

By the way, guess where the machine gun like noises are coming from. Our guide, Mats, can be heard in the background, along with some asking silly questions.

The second female was at the kill site. All that remained was some blood on the ice. along with an Ivory Gull looking for scraps. You will notice that this Bear is collared. Several females from the Svalbard population are being monitored and their movements plotted as they roam the ice or islands over the year so that scientists can learn more about these amazing creatures.



The larger female hauled out again and settled down to watch the other Bear with interest.



She got bored of this and took a breather.



Eventually, she realised that the ship was getting closer and started taking an interest in the ship.



She sat up and checked us out.

[Jillinflorida]

Absolutely magnificent. Loved the video too - thanks to Tine and Lennard for sharing with us.

[Mel]

Missing lunch doesn't seem to be such a bad idea after all. -O

What a fabulous sighting! Great pics and awesome video!

I never gave it a thought before , but seeing the bear's snout in the water,
what do they actually drink?

[nan]

right... soo Rio
magnificent, Dewi, magnificent
and more the video give a plus, thank you to Tine and her husband Lennard
exciting to see a mass swiming

[Flutterby]

Wow...amazing pics Dewi and lovely video!! Poor bear...darn global warning! -O