Dr. Heather Hinam 🍁 🇨🇦
@secondnaturemb.bsky.social
Naturalist, writer, artist, and educator with a Ph.D. in Ecology. I make interpretive signs, illustrations, murals, and books. Sometimes, I chase polar bears and belugas. #scicomm #sciart http://www.discoversecondnature.ca
Polar bears are experts in relaxing. Nothing like a good kelp bed in the sunshine. #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
November 11, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Polar bears are experts in relaxing. Nothing like a good kelp bed in the sunshine. #Mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
Polar bears can reach a top speed of 40 km/h, but rarely run. This poor guy was unfortunately scared off by an emergency helicopter that was landing to help a guest in distress. Thankfully, he didn't have to go far. #Mammals 🌿
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Polar bears can reach a top speed of 40 km/h, but rarely run. This poor guy was unfortunately scared off by an emergency helicopter that was landing to help a guest in distress. Thankfully, he didn't have to go far. #Mammals 🌿
When you're looking out over the snowy tundra and suddenly these two pop up out of the willows. Polar bears, especially males, will sometimes kill time while waiting for the ice to freeze with a little friendly sparring. #mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
When you're looking out over the snowy tundra and suddenly these two pop up out of the willows. Polar bears, especially males, will sometimes kill time while waiting for the ice to freeze with a little friendly sparring. #mammals #BearSeason2025 🌿
A beautiful sunset over Hudson Bay last night. This never gets old.
November 9, 2025 at 12:23 AM
A beautiful sunset over Hudson Bay last night. This never gets old.
The snow squall clouds over Hudson Bay yesterday were amazing.
November 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The snow squall clouds over Hudson Bay yesterday were amazing.
Furry friend stopping by for a visit. It’s always awe- inspiring to see them this close and such an amazing privilege. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
November 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Furry friend stopping by for a visit. It’s always awe- inspiring to see them this close and such an amazing privilege. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
The snow was coming down sideways today on the tundra. Perfect weather for sparring polar bears. #BearSeason 🌿 #mammals
November 5, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The snow was coming down sideways today on the tundra. Perfect weather for sparring polar bears. #BearSeason 🌿 #mammals
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
November 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I'm particularly found of the light on this big bruiser. He was just waking up from a nap. #BearSeason2025 #mammals 🌿
One of my favourite polar bear photos I've taken to date. It was a weird, misty evening with just a sliver of sunlight coming through the fog, lighting up this bear on the rocks just outside of town. #mammals 🌿 #BearSeason2025
November 1, 2025 at 10:18 PM
One of my favourite polar bear photos I've taken to date. It was a weird, misty evening with just a sliver of sunlight coming through the fog, lighting up this bear on the rocks just outside of town. #mammals 🌿 #BearSeason2025
While the polar bears are definitely the star of the show around Churchill these days, I was over the moon with spotting this Brants. Lifer pie (or in my case cake) for me!
These guys nest in the high Arctic and you rarely see them around here. #birds 🌿
These guys nest in the high Arctic and you rarely see them around here. #birds 🌿
November 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
While the polar bears are definitely the star of the show around Churchill these days, I was over the moon with spotting this Brants. Lifer pie (or in my case cake) for me!
These guys nest in the high Arctic and you rarely see them around here. #birds 🌿
These guys nest in the high Arctic and you rarely see them around here. #birds 🌿
October 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Finally, a little cooler on the tundra today, but not cold enough. We were lucky to see this mom and cub, spending some time inland away from potentially dangerous males along the shore. 🐻❄️🌿 #mammals
October 30, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Finally, a little cooler on the tundra today, but not cold enough. We were lucky to see this mom and cub, spending some time inland away from potentially dangerous males along the shore. 🐻❄️🌿 #mammals
An incredible moment on the Coastal Road this afternoon. Many people got to witness this bear roaming the rocks. However, it was getting too close to town and it was important we back off and let it be. Polar bear alert would eventually have to encourage it to move on.
October 29, 2025 at 2:47 AM
An incredible moment on the Coastal Road this afternoon. Many people got to witness this bear roaming the rocks. However, it was getting too close to town and it was important we back off and let it be. Polar bear alert would eventually have to encourage it to move on.
A beautiful afternoon along Hudson Bay with a bunch of polar bears. It was much too warm for this time of year, so the bears were resting up and saving their energy. #mammals 🌿
October 28, 2025 at 3:17 AM
A beautiful afternoon along Hudson Bay with a bunch of polar bears. It was much too warm for this time of year, so the bears were resting up and saving their energy. #mammals 🌿
Back on the tundra for a few days. This landscape always makes me really happy, even when it’s freakishly warm for this time of year.
October 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Back on the tundra for a few days. This landscape always makes me really happy, even when it’s freakishly warm for this time of year.
The glorious Awebo Bird :) These are willow ptarmigan. They are quite common on the tundra. You can see the various stages of transition from their summer plumage to their winter plumage. Once the snow is down, they are hard to spot. Their fluffy feet keep them warm on the snow. #birds 🌿
October 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The glorious Awebo Bird :) These are willow ptarmigan. They are quite common on the tundra. You can see the various stages of transition from their summer plumage to their winter plumage. Once the snow is down, they are hard to spot. Their fluffy feet keep them warm on the snow. #birds 🌿
I forgot an important question: Can bears adapt to climate change and switch to other food?
No. Bears have evolved to eat seal fat (basically lipivores) that they convert into bear fat to fuel their fast. Other foods don't have the same value. The only way to help is to slow climate change. 🐻❄️ 12/11
No. Bears have evolved to eat seal fat (basically lipivores) that they convert into bear fat to fuel their fast. Other foods don't have the same value. The only way to help is to slow climate change. 🐻❄️ 12/11
October 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I forgot an important question: Can bears adapt to climate change and switch to other food?
No. Bears have evolved to eat seal fat (basically lipivores) that they convert into bear fat to fuel their fast. Other foods don't have the same value. The only way to help is to slow climate change. 🐻❄️ 12/11
No. Bears have evolved to eat seal fat (basically lipivores) that they convert into bear fat to fuel their fast. Other foods don't have the same value. The only way to help is to slow climate change. 🐻❄️ 12/11
There are many more things I could talk about, but those are the basics. I hope I've helped you gain a better understanding and appreciate for these amazing, intelligent, and unique bears and the remarkable world around Churchill. If you have more questions, just ask. 🐻❄️ 11/11
October 25, 2025 at 2:55 AM
There are many more things I could talk about, but those are the basics. I hope I've helped you gain a better understanding and appreciate for these amazing, intelligent, and unique bears and the remarkable world around Churchill. If you have more questions, just ask. 🐻❄️ 11/11
How does climate change affect bears?
The bay is freezing later and breaking up earlier. Longer ice-free seasons make them fast longer. This is especially hard on females who might not have enough energy to have cubs. The WHB population has decreased by about 50%. They need longer winters 🐻❄️ 10/11
The bay is freezing later and breaking up earlier. Longer ice-free seasons make them fast longer. This is especially hard on females who might not have enough energy to have cubs. The WHB population has decreased by about 50%. They need longer winters 🐻❄️ 10/11
October 25, 2025 at 2:49 AM
How does climate change affect bears?
The bay is freezing later and breaking up earlier. Longer ice-free seasons make them fast longer. This is especially hard on females who might not have enough energy to have cubs. The WHB population has decreased by about 50%. They need longer winters 🐻❄️ 10/11
The bay is freezing later and breaking up earlier. Longer ice-free seasons make them fast longer. This is especially hard on females who might not have enough energy to have cubs. The WHB population has decreased by about 50%. They need longer winters 🐻❄️ 10/11
How do Churchillians live with polar bears?
The Polar Bear Alert monitors town and resource officers chase bears out. Problem bears go to 'Polar Bear Jail' for up to 30 days before being relocated up the coast. Bear guards are employed to keep tourists safe. No bear has died since 2013. 🐻❄️ 9/10
The Polar Bear Alert monitors town and resource officers chase bears out. Problem bears go to 'Polar Bear Jail' for up to 30 days before being relocated up the coast. Bear guards are employed to keep tourists safe. No bear has died since 2013. 🐻❄️ 9/10
October 25, 2025 at 2:38 AM
How do Churchillians live with polar bears?
The Polar Bear Alert monitors town and resource officers chase bears out. Problem bears go to 'Polar Bear Jail' for up to 30 days before being relocated up the coast. Bear guards are employed to keep tourists safe. No bear has died since 2013. 🐻❄️ 9/10
The Polar Bear Alert monitors town and resource officers chase bears out. Problem bears go to 'Polar Bear Jail' for up to 30 days before being relocated up the coast. Bear guards are employed to keep tourists safe. No bear has died since 2013. 🐻❄️ 9/10
The company I work for uses specially-designed tundra buggies to watch them safely. We follow trails built in the 1950s by the military (long story). We keep a respectful distance, but the bears will approach us, almost like a reverse zoo. Any attempt to attract them is strictly prohibited. 🐻❄️ 8/10
October 25, 2025 at 2:25 AM
The company I work for uses specially-designed tundra buggies to watch them safely. We follow trails built in the 1950s by the military (long story). We keep a respectful distance, but the bears will approach us, almost like a reverse zoo. Any attempt to attract them is strictly prohibited. 🐻❄️ 8/10