The crisp crunch of my boots on the snow was the only sound accompanying my breath, which froze in the air at -32 °C. It was late November, and I was on a solo expedition in Wapusk National Park near Churchill, Manitoba, hoping to capture the majestic polar bears on camera. Yet, as often happens in the wild, an unexpected subject stole the show.

One of my favourite photographs from that trip wasn't a polar bear, but a stunning cross fox. This captivating creature is a colour variation of the more common red fox, frequently spotted in Manitoba, especially around Churchill and its Wildlife Management Area. Its name comes from the distinctive dark stripe running down its back, intersected by another across its shoulders, forming a clear "cross" shape.

Even though they're relatively common in Manitoba, spotting one is always a thrill—and photographing one at these extreme temperatures is a true test of dedication! Every finger movement felt like a strategic act of self-preservation. So, when this beautiful cross fox emerged from the willows for a fleeting moment, I was absolutely ecstatic to capture its arctic elegance.

**Cross Fox (Red Fox)** (*Vulpes vulpes*, renard croisé) Wapusk National Park along the shores of the Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE 400 f/2.8 GM OSS with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm. ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/2,500s Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image.

Last-Minute Opening: Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop

An incredible, last-minute opportunity has just opened up for two photographers to join my otherwise sold-out Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop in Quebec, August 10-13, 2025!

This isn't just a photography trip; it's an immersive experience at the absolute best time to photograph Atlantic Puffins– when their beaks are bursting with fish, offering unparalleled photo opportunities. Imagine this: you'll be living in a fully restored lighthouse, just a short 200-meter walk from the prime puffin photography location.

Beyond the extraordinary wildlife, you'll indulge in gourmet food throughout your stay. This workshop is your opportunity to master birds-in-flight photography with personalized guidance from Sony Ambassador Christopher Dodds, who has been leading bird photography workshops at this location for decades.

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Learn more and sign up here

Ten days in Wapusk National Park meant ten days of relentless, bone-chilling rain. My solo trip quickly became a testament to perseverance, each step a squelch deeper into the infamous Manitoba mud. The relentless drizzle and deepening mud made every step with the heavy camera pack a challenge, but the goal remained: to capture the spirit of the Polar Bear in the summer.

Then, through the swirling mists and as the rain began to stop, it appeared. Not the pristine, snow-white postcard vision everyone expects, but a magnificent, mud-splashed polar bear emerged. Its fur, muddied with the very earth it walked upon, seemed to glow with a raw, powerful presence against the drab, rain-soaked landscape. It was enormous, a true queen of its domain, and utterly unfazed by its less-than-immaculate appearance.

Between me and the bear were some bearberry bushes mixed into the willows, so I quickly adjusted my settings, widening my aperture to throw them beautifully out of focus, isolating the subject and accentuating the bear's sharp, powerful presence.

Dragging myself back to camp each night after long days in challenging conditions, every muscle ached. However, the adventure is always an integral part of creating images and the stories that accompany them.

Arctic Elegance: A Cross Fox Encounter in Churchill

Last-Minute Opening: Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop

Wapusk National Park Polar Bear Queen