Meeting a winter Ptarmigan was on my wish list. But it’s not an easy wish to fulfill.
One, their white plumage again the vast white expanse of the Arctic terra makes it difficult to spot them. Two, they are skittish, which may have given them the name “snow chicken” in the US.
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It was another two-hour trip on the komatiq early morning. The polar bear mom had been pushing her way cautiously towards the Hudson Bay, protecting the vulnerable cub from the wild gray wolves. The previous afternoon, we got a glimpse of the mom-and-cub duo where they had hunched down for the day.
The tracks of them in the morning led us to the edge of the Hudson Bay, where the water was frozen on the surface. We searched up and down and there was no polar bear in sight. We were happy that they made it safely into the water. From there, they launched their seal-hunting journey on sea ice. At the same time, I was sad to have missed the opportunity to see them off.
But, staying focused was never supposed to be my specialty (see my life (horror) stories to get a hint :-)). Soon, a flock of ptarmigans appeared in front of us. While the white birds couldn’t run fast enough behind the willow trees for cover, I couldn’t believe my eyes when one was instead running towards us. In fact, it felt like she was running towards me.
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The beautiful bird stopped in front of our komatiq. The time froze.
It felt like there’s only she and I in this world. She stayed there, changing poses as I pressed my shutter, as if she’s my model of the day. Face the sun… Great. Step forward please… Awesome. Now, look at me… Bingo!
Once I’ve got my fill for wildlife photography, she turned around and went to join her group.
I don’t know since when my lucky streak started with wildlife. Maybe a little dog on the street of La Manzanilla in Mexico that ran into my arms was a hint? Maybe it started when a little girl that I’d never met before gave me a hug in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles many years ago? I don’t know. I always think animals and children are the most intuitive. To be allowed in their space is a great honor.
Do you want to hear/read/see more of my stories with the animals/wildlife I meet on my travels? Some are really WILD. :D
