In Search of Isbjørn.

[Lisbeth]

Strangely enough, today I saw a documentary on the Ice cap of Greenland and the way big lakes formed and then disappeared making "rivers" under the ice on which the ice moved towards the sea loosing big pieces of surface

Poor little isbjørn Maybe he only wanted a hand

[Jillinflorida]

I want to make a 'funny' remark about the bear but the receding ice cap, the cub either being abandoned or just weaned and attempting to make you all his mommy, well just can't do it.

Surely there aren't enough tourists to be feeding it? I wonder if the ships throw fish or similar into the water and perhaps it associates that with feeding.

Wonderful photos of the cub, even the melting ice and the colorful rocks are wonderful, but it's sad too. (not that I'm a big softy or anything)

[Dewi]

RP, I don't think the Bears are habituated to tourists at all. They just see them as food if they are hungry enough. From what I've read, Polar Bears are the only large predator that actively hunts man. (Lions, Tigers etc only tend to do this when injured, ill or because the pride they were in has got into the habit of hunting humans during a famine period). It's not quite as clear cut as I've just put it here, but the big cats tend to shy away from man for the most part, whereas the bears will come and investigate. The tigers in the mangrove swamps of the Sunderbaans are feared man-eaters and have a history of doing so, but I think these are exceptions rather than the norm.

This bear was simply following it's nose after we had been ashore and was investigating a possible food source. There were other adults on the island when we were ashore and they stayed put, not even bothering to get up to come over to have a look. Possibly down to experience of knowing it would be a waste of energy to investigate further?

Maybe I should make a point here that at no time was anyone in danger during this encounter as everyone was back on board well before the bear reached the ship.

On another note......

Tine has e-mailed to remind me that lunch was noodle salad. It was delicious. Thanks Tine.

[Dewi]

Thanks Lisbeth & Jillinflorida.

Lis, I've seen that doccy, or one very similar. The rivers of meltwater disapearing into holes in the middle of the ice-cap.

Jill, This one was about old enough to be weaned, but without knowing exactly what had happened earlier in the season, I can only speculate here. As far as I'm aware, no ships throw waste or fish (except possibly trawlers throwing undersized catch back, but this would be out at sea, not inshore) overboard. I believe it's an offence under maritime law thesedays, so don't think that's the reason the bears come to investigate. It's also illegal for tourists to feed them. The tour companies are very strict on this one and would report any passenger doing so.

[nan]

did you touch him... would say Willem at KK the night the Leopard was at one meter of me

wow the water is very clear, nice to see a "monster" swiming like a fish

[Mel]

Goodness me, 5 new pages since I last visited!
Didn't you say you went out with some angels over the weekend?
Can I have their phone numbers? They must do better next time and
make sure you can't merrily post away after a night out with them.

It indeed got betterer!!! What a stunning encounter with the male Isbjørn.
The leaping shot is my favourite even though he's much closer in all other photos.
But it's just stunning to see how easily he moved seeing that he's such a massive fluff ball!

Glaucous Gulls... something you might see on 'my' island as well... if you are incredibly lucky.
Very

The Nordaustlandet photos got an eery touch to them, but gorgeous.
Apart from the dead polar bears thats is...

I thought you it was a rethorical question about a polar bear getting even closer.

This one isn't really apt here but rather a nail biting one...

[Dewi]

Thanks Nan & Mel.

Nan, it would have been an experience to scratch it behind the ears, but far too dangerous. The water was very clear in places.

Mel, We get Glaucs here also on occasion. Glad you liked the leaping bear pic.

The Angels were on their best behaviour over the weekend.

[Dewi]

So the little bear kept swimming around the ship for a few minutes before turning and wandering back towards the shore. This gave everyone the opportunity for close up pics as it came alongside the hull and looked up at us.

Enjoy the photos....





















I even managed to get a fluky self portrait.

[Jillinflorida]

Lovely pics. Love how the water is clear and so calm.

[Flutterby]

Dewi, what stunning pics!!!

He looks so forlorn that it would be very easy to forget that he is such a dangerous animal.