Arctic: Webcasts and Distracting Cubs

Today was warm and snowing. The bears were few and far between and we saw a mother and cub sleeping in a snow drift around lunchtime. A look at the website of the Canadian Ice Survey told us that the sea-ice is forming fast along the western shore of Hudson Bay. The polar bears are starting to migrate out onto the ice to hunt. At on average a day added to the starvation period each year (see my entry from Monday), how long can the polar bears remain viable in western Hudson Bay?
We did a webcast for teachers in the afternoon, while the cub rolled around in the snow, practiced pouncing, and played with willow branches. It was hard to stay focused because the cub was so cute!
The sun went down at 3:59 PM, and reluctantly we headed back to the Lodge.
-Rich


           Mother and cub