Early morning found the National Geographic Explorer on approach to the Inuit village of Pond Inlet. When we arrived we were greeted by local guides and introduced to some of the traditional ways of Inuit people.
The photography group enjoyed our experience as our host, Rosie Katsak, described traditional clothing made from seal skin and explained how her beautiful boots and clothing were made from a combination of harp and ringed seal. Rosie patiently posed for all of us as National Geographic photographer Michael Melford and I created an impromptu portrait session with Rosie.
Our afternoon was spent in true expedition style as we searched for wildlife on the ice floes of Lancaster Sound. Many seals, walrus and even a polar bear or two were spotted, but the grandest viewing opportunity came after dinner as we watched a solitary polar bear approach the ship, then turn and catch a whiff of a ringed seal upwind on ice. The hunt was on! The entire ship watched completely mesmerized as the bear slinked across the ice between hummocks and in ice valleys, even slipping into the water to mask its final approach. With only a few yards to go the bear rushed the seal in an open run, only to watch the seal slip to safety in the sea beside it. This ringed seal lived another day, and the polar bear came away without a meal. A beautiful ending to a beautiful Arctic day.
