This summer, Polar Bears International has hired local Churchill summer students to assist Captain Hayley on the Beluga Boat. Now that the season is winding down, the interns reflect on their time on the river.
Aidan: “Same Town, New Appreciation”
Hello again everyone! I wanted to talk about more about some of amazing things and sights that I got to see out on the water with Captain Hayley. For example, a few weeks ago we were out on the water near Mosquito Point, and we had a pod of belugas following with us for a little while. One of the belugas had what looked to be long deep cuts or marks on its head. It made me wonder what would have caused something like that to such a beautiful creature, and it just made me admire them more than I already do.
Another thing I can’t stop admiring is whenever we get to go out to Eskimo Point, I get excited to see not just the bears (which are pretty great, I love seeing polar bears), but also the scenery of it all. When we go that far out, I can see all of Churchill, from the Port to the airport. It’s a sight that I will never get tired of. I am reminded that Churchill has so much to offer, from land, to sea, to sky (corny I know, but I love living here).
I’ve also seen the Prince of Wales Fort more times this summer than the entire time I’ve lived here. Getting to see the Fort and the Port of Churchill in the same view every time I’m on the water, is just another thing that I have to thank Hayley, Polar Bears International, and Explore.org for.
It’s been a great summer on the water!
Terry: Beluga Facts From Our Budding Naturalist
Here in Churchill, we’re home to (and big fans of) many different animals – polar bears, geese, Arctic terns, moose, muskrat, foxes, wolves, caribou, even butterflies! But for this blog we will focus on the cute, and seemingly cuddly, Beluga Whale! Who could resist a curious, button eyed beluga? Not me.
Male belugas are 25% longer than females, and rank as mid-sized species among toothed whales. Both sexes reach maximum size around the age of 10 and do not have a dorsal fin. Their diets vary according to location and season, but mostly eat crustaceans and other deep sea animals or invertebrates.
A beluga, also known as white whale is a subarctic cetacean that is completely white or whitish-gray, and calves are born grey. Over a period of rubbing themselves on the gravel of the river bed (and time), they begin to lose pigmentation due to seasonal shedding.
Jurnee: “Reflections of Gratitude from Jurnee’s Journey”
The day Terry and I went out on the boat for the first time together was such an amazing day, even considering how terrible the weather was! Having Terry and the belugas there to surf with me made sure the day was filled with laughs and smiles. I’m so glad Terry and Hayley helped make my last day on the boat so incredible, especially by complimenting my bucket hat!
I’d love to thank every viewer that helped make us happier to be there, also I’d like to give a big thank you to all CamOps!
I hope everyone can experience everything a Churchillian can in their daily lifestyle one day, and if not at least everyone can experience Churchill through explore.org! Thanks for joining me on my astounding journey!
Jurnee’s selfie with a Beluga
