THE KINGDOM OF THE ICE BEAR
In this highly illustrated talk Bob Johnson will tell us the story of his four week trip photographing polar bears from the Havsel, an old seal hunting boat. We will hear all about this famous old boat and her equally well known captain Bjorn Kvernmo. And of course, we will see the many ‘ice bears’ they found on the polar ice cap.
Sure shot: a still from the documentary Sealers: One Last Hunt. Captain Kvernmo pilots the Havsel through the ice from his tiny cockpit at the top of the mast
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a hyper-carnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the largest extant bear species, as well as the largest extant land carnivore. A boar (adult male) weighs around 350–700 kg (770–1,540 lb), while a sow (adult female) is about half that size.
Although it is the sister species of the brown bear, it has evolved to occupy a narrower ecological niche, with many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice and open water, and for hunting seals, which make up most of its diet.
Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time on the sea ice. Their scientific name means "maritime bear" and derives from this fact. Polar bears hunt their preferred food of seals from the edge of sea ice, often living off fat reserves when no sea ice is present. Because of their dependence on the sea ice, polar bears are classified as marine mammals.
copyright- Bob Johnson ARPS
About Bob Johnson – in his own words
I am 66 and have been a photographer ever since I was a child. I got into wildlife photography on a trip to Botswana in 2006 and I have been back to Africa fifteen times since then. I organise and guide both private and commercial trips to the Serengeti each year and I will be there for five weeks later this year.
My favourite subjects are Owls and Raptors and I have visited many countries in pursuit of them. At home here in Essex most of my time is taken up with photographing my local farming community. To support this work, I took up drone photography three years ago and I now operate three different drones.
copyright - Bob johnson ARPS
ABOUT NDPS SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Every month at Norwich and District Photographic Society there is the opportunity to hear inspirational photographic talks by photographers who are recognised to be at the top of their game and renowned specialists in their field of photography. The quality and range of subjects included in these Special Presentations are we believe unequalled both here in Norfolk and much further afield. Further, arguably alone they more than justify the cost of becoming a member of the Society.
The programme for the 2021-2022 Season is well advanced and has been designed to offer a broad range of excellent speakers who will cover, as in past seasons, a far reaching range of photographic genre. Whilst there remains some uncertainty regarding how quickly we shall return to the new normality after covid we will continue to take a flexible approach and only announce the final details about a month before each presentation.
Members of the Society are normally able to attend Special Presentations free of charge. However, NON-MEMBERS wanting to attend a Special Presentation can usually purchase a guest ticket prior to the event. Guest tickets (subject to availability) must be purchased in advance and are only available from our ticketing partner Eventbrite.co.uk.
Please note the ticket office for each individual presentation is not open until approximately ONE month prior to the date of the presentation when all arrangements for the evening have been agreed and confirmed between the presenter and the Society.
ONLINE PRESENTATIONS
During the coronavirus pandemic the Society put together a revised programme of Special Presentations that were presented online. These online events proved to be very successful, with good attendance and we thank all our speakers and members who have adapted to this medium. Post-covid we envisage that we shall continue to make full use of the available technologies to deliver our Special Presentations. In the past year online presenttions has widened our reach and we have hosted speakers from the furthest points in the UK, throughout Europe and much wider afield from Australia and the United States.
We don’t intend to allow geography to be a reason for not heaing from the very best photographers worldwide in future seasons. Equally, we shall evolve to ensure this is achieved in the most effective way for our members