About this episode
Summary In this episode, the crew is joined by guest Cole Waltner as they recount their adventure to Churchill, Manitoba, targeting Polar Bears in a unique Autumn setting. The group talks about the timing of the trip and the unique opportunities it provided. They also discuss the logistics of traveling to Churchill, including the smaller planes and limited carry-on space. The conversation ends with a discussion about packing gear and the precautions they took to ensure its safety. The conversation in this segment revolves around the experiences of the photographers during their trip to Churchill. They discuss the challenges of traveling with camera gear, the excitement of arriving in Churchill, and the incredible sightings of polar bears and the Northern Lights. They also touch on the importance of checking camera settings and the disappointment of shooting in JPEG instead of RAW. Overall, the segment highlights the unique and awe-inspiring moments they encountered during their trip. The conversation in this part focuses on the experiences and encounters with polar bears and beluga whales in Churchill. The group discusses the behavior and habits of polar bears, including their presence along the coast and their hunting patterns. They also talk about the beluga whales and their curious nature. The conversation highlights the excitement and joy of being in close proximity to these animals and the opportunities to capture amazing photographs and videos. The guides are praised for their knowledge and expertise in ensuring the safety of the group while providing memorable wildlife encounters. The conversation revolves around the experiences and encounters during a trip to Churchill, Manitoba. The participants discuss the behavior of polar bears, the beauty of fall colors, and the unique wildlife sightings they had. They also highlight the importance of respecting the animals and prioritizing their welfare over getting the perfect shot. The trip was filled with incredible experiences and opportunities for photography and videography. The participants express their gratitude for the trip and the chance to share their experiences with others. Keywords Churchill, Manitoba, polar bears, fall colors, trip, timing, logistics, packing gear, traveling, camera gear, backpack sponsor, F-stop, ICU units, flying, gate, Churchill, September, day one, experience, Aurora, JPEG, RAW, GoPros, smartphones, time-lapse, reflections, sleep deprivation, day length, polar bears, sightings, Northern Lights, polar bears, beluga whales, Churchill, hunting patterns, behavior, encounters, photography, guides, safety, Churchill, Manitoba, polar bears, fall colors, wildlife sightings, photography, videography, respecting animals, welfare, experiences Takeaways Churchill, Manitoba is a popular destination for photographing polar bears and experiencing the fall colors. The timing of the trip in September allowed for unique opportunities to capture polar bears and fall foliage. Traveling to Churchill involves smaller planes and limited carry-on space, requiring careful packing and gate checking of camera gear. Taking precautions such as wrapping gear in clothing and watching it being loaded onto the plane can help ensure its safety during travel. Traveling with camera gear can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding a suitable backpack and checking camera settings. Arriving in Churchill is an exciting experience, and the photographers wasted no time in exploring and photographing the wildlife. The sightings of polar bears and the Northern Lights were the highlights of the trip, providing unique and awe-inspiring photo opportunities. It's important to double-check camera settings, especially when renting or using new equipment, to avoid shooting in the wrong format. Using GoPros and smartphones can also capture memorable moments, such as time-lapses and light painting. The photographers experienced sleep deprivation due to the long daylight hours and late-night Aurora shoots. The trip lasted four full days, during which they saw and photographed seven polar bears. Polar bears congregate in Churchill waiting for the ice to form so they can hunt seals. The freshwater rivers in Churchill freeze earlier than the saltwater, allowing bears to hunt sooner. Beluga whales are curious and often approach boats, providing opportunities for close encounters. The guides prioritize safety while allowing for unique wildlife experiences. The group had the chance to photograph polar bears, beluga whales, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Respect the animals and prioritize their welfare over getting the perfect shot The trip to Churchill, Manitoba offered unique wildlife sightings and opportunities for photography and videography The participants had incredible experiences and encounters with polar bears and witnessed the beauty of fall colors The trip was a reminder of the importance of experiencing and appreciating nature Titles Packing Gear for a Safe and Successful Trip Timing is Key: September Trip for Unique Opportunities Four Days of Polar Bear Sightings Excitement of Arriving in Churchill The Curiosity of Beluga Whales Capturing Amazing Wildlife Moments Prioritizing Animal Welfare in Wildlife Photography Experiencing the Beauty of Fall Colors in Churchill, Manitoba Sound Bites "We went to Churchill, Manitoba. And of course, the target species for that trip was polar bears." "The timing for me was the combination of aurora borealis and fall colors." "The smaller charter plane from Winnipeg to Churchill doesn't allow for the same size of carry-on that we're used to on the bigger jets." "We still don't have a backpack sponsor yet, but the F-stop interesting that they have these ICU units of varying sizes you can get inside the pack." "When you get there, what happens? What's day one like? What's going on? What is the experience when you arrive in Churchill in, sorry, what week in September?" "Here's that. But hey, a second bang, it was worth the cost." "We took the Zodiac out with the belugas, which... I didn't even think of whales when we go, you know, when Ron says, 'Hey, let's go shoot polar bears.'" "They're just super curious and very interesting animals. The way they look, they actually turn their head, which is a unique behavior for them." "All I needed was two more steps and this bear would have been just exactly on the other side of this still water pool would have been a perfect reflection." "Hehehehe" "This sucker is completely ignoring us" "That art of care was pretty cool" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 09:06 Destination: Churchill, Manitoba 28:49 Challenges of Traveling with Camera Gear 36:24 Importance of Checking Camera Settings 46:01 Capturing Moments with GoPros and Smartphones 56:36 Guides Ensuring Safety and Memorable Experiences 01:16:34 Introduction and Ignored by a Polar Bear 01:26:26 Reflecting on the Trip and Future Plans