Bear Islands and Syd Kap, Scoresby Sund, Greenland. Day 48. 15th August 2013.
We went out in the zodiacs in the morning at the Bear Islands, navigating around in a forest of huge icebergs.
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It was raining most of the day but that didn’t dampen our enthusiasm for the spectacular scenery around us.
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Some remarkable patterns in the ice, too. I think the blue bands are fissures that have refrozen.
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Then we encountered a polar bear swimming in the water (water trail at bottom left).
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He got to land, looked at us for a while, then disappeared out of sight.
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Later in the afternoon we had a landing at Syd Kap. Even some places in eastern Greenland you can find wildflowers.
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This is an ancient Inuit meat safe or fridge in the context of the environment. They could put say a seal kill in there with stones over the top, safe from arctic foxes and polar bears.
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Murray Foote 
Another WOW. I’m curious, did you get to see any icebergs turn over?
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Yes we did. I can’t remember where but it might have been here. We had been verging on being a little too close to it too, but had moved away. No notice, well maybe a second or two and away it went.
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Stunning!
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Thanks heaps Amy!
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Absolutely wonderful iceberg shots, the patterns and colours! In this wet environment how do you keep your camera gear dry? I will be going to Alaska next year and this worries me more than anything as I only have the one camera.
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Thanks very much Lee. I use Think Tank Hydrophobia rain covers. They come in 70-200mm and 300-600mm models though you can use the 70-200mm one for wider lenses. They are very effective though they are bulky, somewhat cumbersome and very expensive. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847357-REG/Think_Tank_623_Hydrophobia_70_200_Black.html
I have a Manfrotto cover for my Fujis but haven’t used it yet: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1049379-REG/manfrotto_mb_pl_e_690_e_690_pl_elements_cover.html
They also make a DSLR version: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1049380-REG/manfrotto_mb_pl_e_702_e_702_pl_elements_cover.html
One cheap alternative is the OpTech Rainsleeve. I have one (I got it earlier for the Fujis) but haven’t used it. You may need a few because they may not last well. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html
I got a cheap one for maybe $10 off EBay some time ago but found it no good because it fogged up and you couldn’t see anything.
The cheapest and simplest alternative is to take a small towel and put it over the camera while shooting. A shower cap is also possible for when you have the camera out but are not using it.
Usually difficult to test these things out when living out in the bush.
You really should have two cameras because otherwise you have nothing if it dies. This especially applies to somewhere like Alaska. Even a point and shoot would be better than nothing. However, assuming you are taking a DSLR or a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, I suggest picking up another body second hand on EBay or through an online camera store (eg KEH or B&H though the exchange rate doesn’t help these days). Even an older model of what you have so at least the controls will be familiar. Just test it out thoroughly when you get it so you can send it back if necessary though the risk should be low.
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Thank you so much Murray for taking the time to send me all this information. Yes I will follow it up and yes I do have a point & shoot that I take along on all trips but heed your advice to get a second body second hand. Thanks again.
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Such beautiful images, Murray! A magical journey you’re sharing with us all.
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Thanks very much Stacy. Not much left to go now. (Well, for Spitsbergen and Greenland at least. Iceland is another matter entirely).
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