North of 72 degrees latitude, Bylot Island is approximately 30 kilometres north of Pond Inlet. It is known for its migratory birds, hoodoos, glaciers and polar bears. In 1930-31 Lawren Harris (one of the group of seven) painted the mountains on the south side of Bylot Island.
Pond Inlet at approximately 72 degrees lattitude is normally too far north for viewing northern lights. In fact, when photographing this northern lights image the camera was pointed southeast. Temperatures range minus 40-60 degrees Celsius. Dew point is often in the minus 40-45 degree range making ice fog a near common occurance. Frostbite can occur within five minutes exposure with the right conditions. There is almost no snowfall during the winter; any accumulation is measured in tenth's of a centimeter. Snowflakes in the cold season are more like dandruff than the typical larger crystal lattice snowflakes commonly found in temperatures approaching the melting point. After a couple of months darkness, the return of the sun is a most welcome sight.
On the weather forecast site sunrise and sunset are listed at 1:07 am. When stepping outside our place at 1:07 am May 20, Sean automatically put on his sunglasses. No need for a flashlight.
With the melting snow, skidoos and qamutiks are parked on the sea ice near town.
Along the Pond Inlet shore ice a small pressure ridge pushes ice skyward. I recall reading about Franklin's crew dragging boats over such ridges and reflecting: such is not for the faint of heart.
Approximately 30 km distant, late evening sun highlights the southwest shore of Bylot Island. Most fascinating here in the far north spring/summer is the 24 hour sun's arc as it completes a full circle, "rising and setting" in the north.
