Page 71 - 2003 SVALBARD, NORWAY

After we had passed the ice cap, we came upon a strange sandy

brown low shoreline (John S. told us it was “shale”) that suddenly
transported us into a desert scene, except that this desert

culminated at the Arctic Ocean shore with bergs and pack ice at
the tide line. A very strange desert indeed. The clouds played

charades above the ice and water sculptures, changing shapes and
colors as rapidly as a kaleidoscope. All the while, the various
beauty of the Arctic world was imprinting our memories indelibly.

Another Bear Sighting
Dinner came and we had still seen no more bears. However, as

dinner was ending, we were told that three bears had been
spotted on the ice pack and that we were maneuvering into a

better position for viewing. We were in the west part of
Eriksenstreten (Ericson Strait) in the pack ice at this time. This

occurred about 8:30 PM and by now the light pouring down on
the timeless scene was molten gold, tipping the edges of the ice
formations with honeyed hues. From far across the floe at the

ship’s bow, we saw a mother bear and her two-year cub
approaching nearer and nearer. Of course, we were holding our

breaths willing them to continue their slow and ponderous way
across the pack ice. The cub followed closely behind his mother,

though at one breath-holding period, he seemed to lead her- in
the direction we were all hoping for--ever closer to the ship.

However, she soon regained control and kept him behind her.

From then on, they moved only a little closer to the ship though

they continued to cross in front of us. These bears were the
whitest ones we had seen yet and with the binoculars they were

clearly observable. All augmented eyes were trained on these two
creatures. Most of us never saw the third bear who had been

mentioned in the announcement at dinner. The interactions
between mother and cub were fascinating to watch because they