Lamar Rutherford
Charming Churchill: Poetic Polar Expedition
I went on a wonderful trip to see the polar bears in their natural habitat in Churchill, Canada. Fabulous trip that inspired me to write the following poem. Check out the video to see more of the tundra and these fabulous creatures.https://youtu.be/95gYREqsA3g
Recently I visited Churchill, Manitoba, Canada on a polar bear excursion through Nat Hab/WWF travel http://(https://www.nathab.com/polar-bear-tours/?dropdown=true). The trip was remarkable, both for seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat, but also learning so much more about how they live and interact, and the importance of protecting each piece of our wonderfully interconnected planet. The knowledge, passion and support shared by the guides and fellow passengers was enlightening, inspiring and hopeful that we can make a difference.
I wrote the following poem about my experience
Frosted whisps of wind race across shallow ponds, frenzied currents over the chilled solid surfaces.
The ponds, like overlapping silver dollers, dot the horizon, crumbled chunks of ice perched on edges or swept into corners like forgotten broken glass.
A woven rug of craggy willows, waves of frozen sand, and soft snow drifts intermix, a stark soothing backdrop for the bright orange lichen covered boulders and fir crested tree islands.
Artic hare, ptarmigan, snow owls, gryfalcons, and foxes - red, cross, and the soft white artic - swift, wary creatures tucked away for quick cover, blended coats invisible in plain sight.
All except the majestic white bear. Nonchalant, leisurely, snuggled into a cool peaceful bank or strolling the thickening edge of the sea, oozing confidence, powerful, athletic, conserving energy for the upcoming hunt. Ring seals, their thick blubbery nutrient-rich hides the prize, enough to sustain for another season.
All treasures of the tundra stalked by the touring rovers, its voyagers eager to experience the gifts mother nature chooses to share.
