When you think of polar bears, you probably imagine the vast, snow-blanketed wastes of the Arctic, or massive ice floes on frigid seawater. But photographer Dennis Fast wants to remind you that polar bears exist all year, and while their white fur and sturdy constitution make them the perfect predators in the tundra, they also enjoy the (relatively) warmer Arctic summers.
After working as a polar bear guide in Churchill Wild near Canada’s Hudson Bay, Fast noticed that in summer, polar bears liked lounging in the bright purple fields of fireweed flowers. He then decided to capture the beautiful beasts in their colorful surroundings in what looks like summer camp for polar bears.
Against the bright flowers, the white polar bears look extra striking.
“When polar bears come ashore off Hudson Bay in June or July, after a winter on the ice, they are looking for places to spend the summer,” says Fast. “During that time they loaf a lot, eat very little if anything at all, and simply ‘chill out’ in the heat. Since the bears are quite social on land, the small island may have as many as seven or eight bears on it for most of the summer.”
Although they’re cute, polar bears can be very dangerous, so photographing them requires special care and precautions.
“Working close to polar bears always demands lots of protection,” Fast says. “They are extremely inquisitive, especially about moving subjects, and almost always approach when they spot or smell you. Once the bears were used to us, it becomes relatively safe to walk about at a respectful distance without alarming them or having them pay too much attention to us! We don’t approach closer than 50 meters, but sometimes the bears don’t follow our rules!” To that end, his camp was protected by chain link and electric wire fencing.
“Polar bears are powerful predators which completely belies their calm, almost inviting, demeanour. It is important to watch their body language at all times,” Fast explains.
“[Watching them], you begin to feel the understated power and majesty of the animals. Such moments can be breath-taking and humbling.”
But they’re still so endearing.
It’s not just that the bears look beautiful next to the wildflowers of the Arctic. Fast also wants these images to make people remember the importance — and fragility — of our planet.
“I want to create awareness about the fragility of our planet and its wildlife and the need to preserve it for future generations,” he says.
It’s hard to look at these and not remember that polar bears, even as they enjoy the short summers, need the icy winters to hunt, survive, and thrive, and rising temperatures can threaten this.
“In the end, I hope my photos inspire people to care about all wildlife and to do their part,” he says. “It would be a shame to lose something as iconic as the polar bear.”
(via BoredPanda)
You can see more of Fast’s inspirational wildlife photography on his website. Be sure to check out his books, Touch the Arctic and Princess, both available for sale via Heartland Associates.
