It was a day full of promised adventures. Starting in Longyearbyen, our expedition in the northern archipelago of Svalbard started out with some sunshine and a bit of blue skies peaking out between the clouds.
One of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on Earth, the polar bear is always a definite highlight of the trip, although an expedition to Svalbard is so much more than just its wildlife.
Scouting the coastlines with binoculars, we worked our way into Dicksonfjord in the evening. A wide flat expanse of fjord ice stretched out in front of us and we saw a polar bear hunting on the ice.
Spotted by the intrepid and eagle-eyed bear scout Beau-Bear, word was spread around so that everyone was outside on deck, watching as the bear walked on the ice, searching for seals to feed upon.
It was a young female who was very playful and energetic, sometimes sniffing slowly around the seals' breathing holes, and sometimes jumping around like a playful dog with too much energy.
The vast fjord ice with the soft evening light hitting the mountainsides in the background was a majestic sight. This is typical of the early season in Svalbard.
It was a wonderful day in the far Arctic north and a photographer's delight.
Please note: Depending on the lens used for a photo or video shot an animal may appear to be closer than it is. We always follow strict wildlife guidelines to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance.
