Trip Report  - By Richard Day, Interpretive Guide
  
With another polar bear season behind me, I look back and realize that there is always something different to experience each year.  This year when we arrived at the lodge it was mild by Churchill standards—daytime temperatures hovered above 0º C (upper 30sº F). I wondered how this would affect the wildlife and was excited on our drive out to the lodge to see more Arctic Hares than I had seen in the past four years combined!        
    
On the first day out from the Tundra Buggy Lodge we saw a bear along the coast. The excitement on the buggy is always high when someone spots the first bear and that just sets the stage for the days to come.  Even after five years of leading tours, it’s always a thrill to see my first bear! I tend to forget what large and incredible creatures they are!      
    
Soon we found a couple of youngsters that were traveling together and sparring their hearts out!  We didn’t know it at the time but these two young fellows would keep us entertained for the rest of the week sparring and play fighting. Another special bonus was the opportunity to photograph at close range two caribou as they were traveling through the area - a rare sighting for that time of year.    
    
The weather was clear for the first couple of days, so besides the incredible light we had for bears, I told my group that conditions were probably right for a peek at some Northern Lights.  That first night everyone was tired after the plane trip from Winnipeg and their first Tundra Buggy ride so after a hearty meal and a little wine, everyone was snug in their bunks by 9:30 P.M. I promised to wake them if I saw “The Lights.”  At 10:30 P.M. I noticed lights across the sky. I hesitated to wake everyone, but that’s what they wanted and they certainly weren’t disappointed! We were treated to one of nature’s most spectacular shows! I’d never seen the aurora and the big dipper in the same photo - life is good! I think we turned in after midnight when the lights began to fade away.      
    
After a second day of photographing arctic hares (very close) and bears we returned for some exquisite dining in the lodge followed by slide shows. Another night of aurora borealis occurred, this time before everyone turned in. After the previous night – and the hopes of Northern Lights in their heads - they weren’t as anxious to go to sleep. Once again we were treated to another amazing light show!     
    
On this trip several single bears moved by our buggy for some great photo opportunities, but those two young males kept us very entertained. Sometimes they would spar for 20 - 30 minutes at a time, rest for about 10-15 minutes and go at it again.  It was some of the best sparring series I have ever seen!      
    
Throughout the week, my group photographed arctic hares, snowy owls, willow ptarmigan, arctic foxes, caribou, and of course polar bears. Everyone went home with some great shots and stories. But my fondest memory from the trip was the people. It always amazes me how we start out as total strangers and end up as a big family. The joy, experience, and education that people receive on the tours are my best memories. It’s a tour of a lifetime, and I hope you’ll come up and join me!