This young male polar bear crossed our path completely by chance on our way to the Duner cabin on the east coast of Svalbard.
I caught a movement in the corner of my eye, and there, up on the mountainside a few hundred meters away, lay a magnificent specimen watching us. We stopped the snowmobiles so as not to disturb him. It turned into a truly special experience—a quiet display of how to relax and stretch every single muscle… yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was us being observed, not the other way around.
That same night, the bear came right up to the wall of the small cabin, clearly trying to get inside. Shortly after, it appeared at the window with the same intention. It took firm persuasion (a rubber bullet to the thigh) to convince the bear that the cramped cabin—already occupied by three people—was not an ideal place for such a curious visitor.
It was an intense encounter, but one that ended well for both the polar bear and us.
Polheim Art Prints
Photographed by Hilde Fålun Strøm.
Choose between A1, A2, A3, A4 & A5 sizes.
[Signed, limited edition prints]
Original & Copyrighted: © Polheim
Location: Svalbard, Arctic Norway
Print Type: Fine art print on high-grade matte paper (192 gsm)
Frame: Sold unframed — ideal for custom display options
