58 degrees latitude? Where am I!

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.
- Grandma Moses

Where to start! I arrived in Churchill April 25, 2011 and since arriving on that cold -20 day, I’ve been able to experience a place I didn’t realize had so much to offer. Churchill is located on the south western shores of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the historic Churchill River with latitude of 58.47 N. Churchill is also known for being Manitoba’s most northern community and is accessible by air and rail.

The first few weeks of being here it was slow going as I was still trying to gather my surroundings and waiting for it to sink in it where I actually was. How many places can you go where you have polar bear warning signs? Not very many!

Since arriving here the people have been amazing and it did not take me long to become one of the locals. I was able to take part in the local Canada Day parade with my friend and co-worker Hayley which was amazing, as well as the morning Bay Dip.

And of course I can’t forget about being able to walk into Gypsy’s (The best place in Churchill to be) where most people by now knows your name and pour your own coffee and start a tab. The people here have made me feel so welcome that it’s helped me enjoy my stay. There are moments where I think if I didn’t have school to go back too I’d probably stay longer...or at least until bear season is over. Unfortunately that is not the case as I will be departing August 15^th L

Besides working here in Churchill I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many of the hidden aspects this place has to offer, an example being the changing of the seasons. From the end of winter to spring and from spring into the amazing summer that we’ve had. The summer we’ve had this year has been different, we’ve had heat waves of +30 with the bulldogs out in full force, to out of the blue hurricane winds and down pours which brought out the unfriendly mosquitoes. I’ve witnessed some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen anywhere to also being unfortunate enough to experience the sun never going down...literally! Nothing like waking up at 230am and having it as bright as day. Thank goodness for thick dark blinds.

<><><><><><> <> <><> <><><><> <> <><> <><><><> <>

Bulldog

I’ve been able to explore (despite the fear of Polar Bears) places that are unique to Churchill. Not very many places have two grounded ships (MV Ithaca and Graham Bell) that within a matter of hours can look completely different despite their never moving. A downed aircraft (Miss Piggy) on the coast that you’re able to climb into, a small Dene village that has not only offers a lot of history but where in the winter you can dog sled around and in the summer dog cart. Three national historic sites (Prince of Wales Fort, Cape Merry Battery and Sloops Cove) in which only two are accessible by boat, and the third you are able to drive too. And I can’t forget the amazing local displays around town, with the number of Inukshuks, degrees of wolf sculptures, as well as a few polar bears there is always something to look at here in Churchill.

MV Ithaca

Miss Piggy

Graham Bell

Dene Village Memorial

I’ve also had the chance to experience some of the local wildlife, and no I do not simply mean the polar bears. Although the month of July we had a higher than usual number of polar bears in the area and sadly two have had to be destroyed. But looking on the bright side there has been a large number of polar bears that people have been able to witness. Not everyone is able to see a polar bear in its natural habitat.

I’ve also got to see the thousands of Beluga whales that migrate into the Churchill River during the summer months. Even to this day I never get sick of seeing the whales because each and every day they’re different. I’ve been able to get some good pictures of mothers and their young calves, pods of young adolescents that are curious about our boats, and huge males putting on a good show for us on my birthday!

I’ve seen many arctic hares across the river at the Fort, and I am still convinced that there has to be something in the water for those to be as big as they are. My first time seeing one I thought it was a medium sized dog and my boss Mike Macri nicely explained to be that it was an arctic hare and that was actually a smaller one compared to what some are! I also learnt that they change colours with the seasons. In the winter they turn white and during the summer they are gray.

And of course I can’t forget about the seals with their cute little faces and quick movement. I’ve learnt the differences between a harbour seal and ring seal, although both are extremely cute. The harbour seal has a unique pattern of fine dark or light spots. Whereas the ringed seals are the smallest and most common seal in the Arctic, with their cute small head and short-cat like snout. Their coat is dark with silver sings on their backs and sides with silver under belly. However with both being very fast, you’ll be lucky if you’re able to actually tell the difference. I usually just say “I saw A seal”...and not get into detail.

Aside from the bears, belugas and seals I also managed to see a few foxes, both red and silver tip fox. Not too far from where I work there is a fox den and one day I was able to watch a mother sun-tanning while her pups played outside. Unfortunately I think that too many people found out about the den and she relocated her little family, of course before I or anyone else could get a picture.

Arctic Tern

And last but not least I’ve been able to experience birds galore here in Churchill. During the summer months there are over 200 difference species of birds in the area. My goodness to me they all looked the same! From the Canada Goose, Mallard, Ptarmigan, the different Gulls...which to me they all look the same. I still refer to them as seagulls, however by far my favourite the Yellow Warbler.

This guy was a tease trying to get a picture of because every time I took out my camera he would fly away and as soon as I put it away he’d come back. Finally, I did manage to get a quick shot. There are also countless ravens, a few hyder ducks, and different sparrows and of course I can’t forget the arctic terns. So for all those bird watchers, come up here between end of May to mid July and you’re bound to see lots of birds.

Marsh Ragwort

Aside from the wildlife and hidden gems Churchill has to offer, it also has another hidden beauty- the landscape. The landscape around Churchill is influenced by a combination of subsurface permafrost and Canadian Shield rock formation. From mid June I was able to experience my first ice break up. Being able to look out across the water I saw these beautiful yet huge ice flows and when they broke apart it sounded like thunder, which made it even more amazing. However it’s been during the summer the real beauty of the landscape is seen. Now, I’ve never really been a flower person but being able to witness the arrangement of different colors that pop have popped up this summer is amazing! I was away for a week in July and when I returned to Churchill it was like I was in a different place. Going across to the Fort the landscape was in full bloom with wild sweet peas, fireweed, yarrow, mountain avens, alpine arnica, salt-marsh sand spurry and the purple paintbrush. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful piece of land. 

Northern Buttercup

Large- Flowered Wintergreen

Early Sandwort

Me in Fireweed

Unfortunately my time in Churchill is coming to an end. However I am sure to never forget the experience I’ve had this summer. All I can hope for is to have more experiences down the road, in hopes of continuing to blog about my adventures.

“I have enjoyed life a lot more by saying yes than by saying no”

Thanks for continuing to follow

Monica