The Dive, Sperm Whale, north of Andenes, NorwayAfter having failed seeing sperm whales in spring (however therefore many pilot whales), I did return to Andenes end of September to give it another try. And indeed, being out again with the same scientists group as in spring, we did manage to hear and find sperm whales, about 15-18km out of Andenes, where the seefloor suddenly drops to more than 1,000m depth. And we got to see several sperm whales also showing us their beautiful flukes, which helped the scientists to identity the sperm whales and record their behaviour as well as moving patterns.
Of course, I would have appreciated if the whales would have decided to come even closer, but well, this is nature and ultimately the decision of the whale.

Curiosity, Pilot Whale, Andenes, NorwayAfter being out with researching biologists in RIBs to identify and photograph whales, we encountered a curious Pilot whale, which even came out of the water next to our boat to take a closer look at the people inside.
This photo was taken at 70mm focal length.

I see you, Red Fox, Sorsele, SwedenEarly morning in Sweden and just by coincidence when leaving our overnight sleeping location, I saw the most beautiful red fox, I have ever seen in my whole life.
The fox was looking for food and on its way to feast on a dead reindeer ('thanks' to the big wood trucks racing by) next to the road.

Dancing Queen, Snow Grouse, Lofoten, NorwaySnow grouse preparing to leave its rock, showing off some elegant dancing moves

Through the branches, Musk Ox, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayBeing out with a local ranger in the early morning at Dovrefjell National park, we saw a group of male Musk Oxes standing on a small elevation, eying the early hiking visitors.

Musk ox profile, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayJust a close-up of the previous musk ox, who seems more interested in my dog Norris than in myself.

Musk oxes fighting, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayIt is May and because of the unusually warm temperatures, most of the Musk oxes have already moved high up into the mountains. Longer exercise for us. After a few hours hike and a second breakfast rest for all of us, we saw a group of young Musk oxes in the distance practising pushing and fighting.
The winter fur is about to come off and partially hanging in long tufts from the back and side of the animals.
Lots of fur tufts can also be found hanging in bushes, where the oxes have moved through.
Locals are happily collecting those tufts, which they are using to produce excellent wool.

Musk ox up high in the mountain, Dovrefjell National Park, NorwayMusk ox standing on top of a hill in the mountains of Dovrefjell National Park, its winter fur playing and waving in the cold breeze.

Arctic Skua in direct approach, Longyearbyen, Bjorndalen, SvalbardDuring a hike around Bjorndalen, an Arctic Skua apparently identified me as a potential landing spot or playing partner and, after having made a tight turn, seemed to target me on eye level...and so did I with my lens 😉

Svalbard reindeer camouflaged as rockAs long as the reindeers are not moving, they are actually not easy to spot from the distance since they are having pretty much the same color as all those numerous surrounding rocks.

Svalbard Reindeer enjoying one of the last patches of snow, Longyearbyen, SvalbardEnd of June, only small patches of snow at the northern slopes of the hills have survived the long hours of daylight. Towards the warmer hours of the day, reindeers are seeking those snow patches to cool down and enjoy some crazy moves.

Sunbathing, Walrus, Magdalenafjorden, SvalbardA curious walrus sunbathing on a sandy beach seems to be eying the visitors in their RIBs floating in the fjord.

On top of each other, walruses, Magdalenafjorden SvalbardSeveral walrusses are lying on top of each other and seem to enjoy the really close proximity despite occasional spiky experiences.

Female polar bear hunting, Magdalenafjorden, SvalbardStill wet from swimming across the fjord, this young female polar bear is on its search for some tasty seals.

Young female polar bear preparing for seal hunting, Magdalenafjorden, SvalbardFemale polar bear descends into the water to continue its crossing of the fjord on its hunt for seals.

Young female polar bear enjoying a good shake after swimming, Magdalenafjorden, SvalbardAfter a swim in the water, a good shake is just what is needed to get the proper look back.

Young female polar bear walking along the shore, Magdalenafjorden, SvalbardRewarding the observer in the inflatable boats with a nice mirror image, the female polar bear is moving along the shoreline towards the nearby glacier.

Young female polar bear profile, Magdalenafjorden, SvalbardThe female polar bear is granting us a curious look before slowly moving on towards the nearby glacier area.

Large male polar bear in hunting approach, Brasvell glacier, SvalbardAfter having slept for quite some while much further out on the ice, this large male polar bear has apparently sniffed something interesting and is approaching his target. His movements might appear slow and relaxed, but are actually quite fast...and we need to prepare to move away with our RIBs to avoid an encounter, which would be way too close for our taste.

Large male polar bear closing in, Brasvell glacier, SvalbardA large male polar bear is closing in on our location close to the ice shelf, and we are getting ready to leave with our RIBs.

Pretending no interest, large male polar bear, Brasvell glacier, SvalbardThe large male polar bear is closing in further on the location of our RIB while seemingly pretending of having no interest. While looking and enjoying the sighting through the tele lens, it is easy to forget when time has come to leave.
Luckily our guide, a ranger and our driver, has started the engine of the RIB already.

All eyes on potential food, large male polar bear, Brasvell glacier, SvalbardA closer look through the tele lens at the large male polar bear, which is getting closer and closer to the location of our RIB...and we are already moving backwards.

Large male polar bear sniffing food, Brasvell glacier, SvalbardA different perspective (Now, the bear is so close that my lens cannot show the whole bear anymore) and a last look through the tele lens at the magnificent male polar bear. That one seems to be interested in getting even closer sniffing something tasty, we do not like his idea...and are escaping with our RIB.

Curious polar bear cub, pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardAfter having travelled with our small ship for about 30 hours from our last location, we are now very far north in the pack ice, north of Svalbard and Duvefjorden.
Having spent the night in the pack ice, we have been rewarded with the sighting of a female polar bear and her cub.
The polar bear cub apparently has seen something interesting, which seems to require a different perspektive.

Where's a wish there's a way, pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardAfter having pondered about the idea for a while, polar bear cub is finally jumping across a water gap.

Polar bear cub enjoying its ice 'cream', pack ice north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardThe polar bear cub has settled down next to a small opening in the pack ice, found a piece of ice and seems to be enjoying his delicious find.

Beloved piece of ice, pack ice north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardAfter the polar bear cub found a nice piece of ice in the water, took it out and joyfully licked the ice for a while, it now seems to be cuddling its beloved piece of ice before departing.

What's up next? Pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardAfter being active for quite a while, polar bear cub seems to be thinking about a new field of action.

Polar bear cub in its natural playground, pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardThe polar bear cub eventually found another interesting location in the pack ice and making full use of all the offers this fascinating environment is offering to him.

Polar bear cub enjoying himselfGiving his back a good rub seems to be just the right thing to do right now for the polar bear cub.

Polar bear cub balancing out, pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardPolar bear looking over a small agglomeration of pack ice.

Jump start, pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardAfter having played for a while close to an opening in the pack ice, the polar bear cub is now happily returning to the area, where his mom is roaming around.

Playing with mom, pack ice, north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardPolar bear mom and her cub enjoying value time playing. Both were playing for a long time, at least an hour, along the water as well as in the water of the ice openings.
Is the yellow color of their fur correct? Yes, the yellow tint comes from the diatoms, which are living in the fur of those polar bears, that spend a lot of time swimming in the arctic water.
Because the polar bear cub hast't spent that much time in arctic waters yet, its fur appears more white.

Whale watchers, female polar bear with cub watching Beluga whales, pack ice north of Duvefjorden, SvalbardPolar bear mom and her cub seem to be fascinated by a pod of Beluga whales, which is just passing by their location.

The polar bear mom certainly has something different in mind as well, however, she would not attack an adult Beluga but is probably checking, whether a grey-colored calf would be among the Belugas and within reach.

Once the polar bear decides to spend more time outside the water, e.g. during summer, the diatoms in its fur are dying and bleaching in the sunlight, changing the fur back from the yellowish color to an almost pure white.

Polar bear mom and cub with pod of BelugasClose to an opening of the pack ice, a female polar bear and her cub have settled down to observe a pod of Beluga whales, which is enjoying the opening as a breathing hole.

Those diatoms are also living on the skin of the Belugas. Only towards summertime, during a process called molting, the Belugas rub their skin against rocks or sand to remove dead skin. And only then they do appear white for a short period of time, before the diatoms are moving in again...