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NunavutBirder

@NunavutBirder@mas.to

I am a denizen of Canada's High Arctic. Father, husband, retired Mountie, current Parks guy, and former EDO. I'm a photographer, writer, wannabe poet, and so much more.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. For a complete list of posts, browse on the original instance.

NunavutBirder , to random
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I’m not sure I have words adequate enough to describe Nat Gillis, or how lost I feel right now with the news that the plane she was piloting crashed yesterday near Albany NY, killing her.

Nat was a huge bright light in this world, which frankly feels colder right now. She was an incredible photographer, wonderful poet, lover of the cold places in the world, pilot, guide, in the process of biking across Canada (2 of 3 legs done), a ball of quiet energy. And a friend.
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An inscription from a book of poetry that reads “Clare, From one poet and lover of cold places to another, I hope you enjoy this collection. All the best, Natalie.”
A copy of a book “THIS IS WHERE Atlantis SANK” Natalie Gillis Poems The cover photo is a foggy scene of an iceberg and the silhouette of a bid flying It sits on a table along with a glass of coffee.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Midnight. And they are home.

The frozen ocean. Pools of water on the ice interspersed with snow. A Glaucous Gill flies by. Two snowmobiles pulling qamutiq come in from the distance and stop.

NunavutBirder , to random
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You’d be hard pressed to find a bird handsomer than a Pacific Loon.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Pacific Loon gliding through lake ice.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Birds do exist. Baird’s Sandpiper.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Off they go for an extended weekend.

Video of a skidoo pulling a qamutiq with my wife and daughter in it, across the frozen Arctic Ocean.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Fair warning that this account may turn into a granddaughter stan account. Delilah today.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Delilah Qapik Amaaq. Welcome to the world. It’s a place filled with wonder and beauty. Always look at it through the eyes of the child.

You and I, we’re going to have adventures.

NunavutBirder , to random
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Given we were talking about cracks in the landfast ice, here’s a small one we were figuring where to cross. Two Polar Bears had strolled along it earlier looking for seal.

An expanse of sea ice with a crack running across it. Two sets of Polar Bear tracks follow along parallel to it. Three people stand on the ice near a snowmobile and qamutiq. Far beyond the cliffs of the western shore of Admiralty Inlet run along the ice. A band of clouds top the cliffs and above them, blue sky.
ALT
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    • NunavutBirder , to random
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    Yesterday’s pause café at the cabin.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    NunavutBirder , to random
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    Crossing a bridge at a crack in the sea ice.

    One of my favourite photos.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    The Victor Bay Point crack has started for the season. #CabinLife #Nunavut

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    A bit of a strange day for me, carpentry wise. I finished framing the floor for the addition and hit pause. I went in to see what I’d take on and was suddenly overwhelmed by it all. Realizing there’s still so much to do, and realizing it’ll be worse come sealift when so much arrives and I’ll be racing winter. And overcome with the feeling I’m just not good enough.

    I am, and this will pass. But two days in and I just gave up on the day.

    Tomorrow.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    T-shirt weather out there this evening.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    Back at it.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    If you saw my post with the stamp of the rock form known as “The Pants”, here is a photo of a Polar Bear dwarfed by it, seen through its legs. I had the wrong lens on and couldn’t get a photo of the entire formation and bear.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    You know, I absolutely don’t mind that it was too bright for the Aurora. I’m relishing the pure joy of so many folks posting about their experience overnight. Often from people who have never seen the Aurora. It is all so joyful. This amazing, dazzling world.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    I don’t have dark skies anymore, but if you do, and have clear skies, keep an eye on the night this weekend. A G3/G4 solar storm is predicted this weekend. That could spark Aurora all the way down to the southern US.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    As of today the sun will not set here. Not until August. Around the 8th of August.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    So, this was released today. My third stamp with Canada Post. Qarlinngua (The pants). And technically my second stamp with a family member in it, as the tiny figure in it is my son Travis. Now for one with Hilary in it.

    I’ve very proud of all of these, beyond the cache. They are about my home, and family. And also my family has a long history with the Post Office, 101 years. My grandfather, father, and brother were all postmasters in Roblin. #Nunavut #Arctic #Stamps #philately #CanadaPost

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    May 5th is , a day to drive home awareness and action on the ongoing tragedy of . If you are unfamiliar with this read the AFN and the Inuit National Action Plans for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit.

    https://afn.ca/rights-justice/murdered-missing-indigenous-women-girls/

    https://pauktuutit.ca/mmiwg-inuit-action-plan/

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    My wife is home.

    Video of snowmobiles pulling qamutiit on the sea ice. A cotton candy sky of pinks and blues. In front of the camera one snowmobile stops. Behind the sun shines on the top of the mountain despite it being almost midnight.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    In an ATV trip to Innaaluup Nuvua last summer we stopped at the top of this magnificent valley above Innaarulaalikuluk and Admiralty Inlet.

    A panorama from a top of a wide sweeping valley that leads down to the Arctic Ocean. The sides of the valley are fluted with gullies and richly coloured in browns and greens. Some snow remains a long the edges of the valley. The blue sky is dotted with small clouds and the low Sun casts a golden glow along the horizon. Ice remains on the ocean.
    ALT
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    • NunavutBirder , to random
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    Throwback to summer. I’ve applied for some funding to upgrade my drone so here’s a shot with my Mavic 2 Pro. A panorama of Qajuutinnguaq down Adams Sound from home.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    11:30pm. Arctic Bay will not have dark until later in August.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    Nanuraq only started running dogs two years ago and was participating in his first Nunavut Quest, a race that his grandfather and father have both run.

    And today he was announced as the winner.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    We’re still about three weeks away from the Sun not setting and this is as dark as it gets.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    It’s a team sport.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    A gyrfalcon flies along the face of the Saint George’s Society Cliffs.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    It was a long way off and cropped heavily. But the Gyrfalcon and ravens were at each other today. Here the Raven has flipped over to meet the Gyr’s attack.

    A close up of the Gyrfalcon and Raven. The Raven has flipped over to face the Gyrfalcon. The Gyrfalcon has its talons extended to the Raven’s breast.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    Candy toss for Leah’s birthday.

    Three Inuit women tossing candy off a deck to a crowd below.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    The sky at 11:20 pm

    Sunset skies in Victor Bay. Low on the horizon the sky is a deep orange, lightening as you look higher. Then comes a light light blue that gradually deepens to a dark indigo. Barely visible at this resolution Jupiter shines above the mountains on the left. Scattered thin clouds are a deep pink.
    ALT
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    • NunavutBirder , to random
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    Oh the grace! Gyrfalcon dive turning to come around to an outcrop.

    A diving Gyrfalcon begins to twist to come around to perch at an outcrop. The bird is mostly white, but with black on the end of its primary feathers, and the end of its primary coverts. It also has numerous black spots. Its head is turned to its left as it begins its turn. The end of the tail is stained rusty from the cliff it lives on.
    ALT
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    NunavutBirder , to random
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    Left the worst chocolate eggs ever.

    NunavutBirder , to random
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    Hello moon. Early afternoon sky.

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