‘The Kingdom of the Ice Bear’ – fundraising event for Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, Norfolk – 27 September 2024
16 September 2024 – A local wildlife photographer and volunteer reserve warden is set to share his captivating account of an extraordinary Arctic expedition at an upcoming fundraising event for the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Fakenham, Norfolk.
‘The Kingdom of the Ice Bear’ is the story of Bob Johnson's four-week voyage on a historic seal hunting boat in the Arctic, photographing polar bears up-close. Setting sail in the summer of 2018, Bob’s journey took him deep into the remote fjords of Northern Svalbard and up to the polar icecap, where he faced freezing temperatures, rugged conditions, and breathtaking encounters with polar bears. His talk will add extra colour to his stunning photographs with anecdotes of life onboard the Havsel – Norway’s last seal hunting vessel and the same boat now mainly used by the BBC to film iconic nature documentaries like Frozen Planet.
A trip to Africa in 2006 sparked Bob’s passion for wildlife photography. Over the years, he has travelled to more than 50 countries, capturing the world’s most incredible species, and was recently named PAGB’s ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ 2024.
Visitors to Sculthorpe Moor might recognise Bob as one of the reserve’s friendly, dedicated volunteer wardens. Since retiring to North Norfolk in 2023, Bob has spent most Fridays at the reserve, topping up bird feeders, helping to maintain the hides, and chatting with visitors about the site’s abundant wildlife.
Bob Johnson said, “I’ve been giving talks to photographers about my travels for years, but this is a special chance to share my Arctic adventure with my local community. I’m very lucky to have Sculthorpe Moor right on my doorstep. My photography has taken me everywhere from the Serengeti to the polar icecap, but I still find immense joy in the diverse array of local Norfolk wildlife that can be spotted on the reserve such as the Barn Owl, the Marsh Harrier, and my favourite, the Kingfisher. It’s an honour to use my experiences to help raise funds for this amazing place.”
Victoria Chamberlin, Education and Activities Officer at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, said: “Bob is not only a talented photographer but also a dedicated volunteer warden who plays an important role in helping visitors get the most out of their time on the reserve. His upcoming talk is another example of that. Bob’s stunning photographs and stories offer a glimpse into a world few of us will ever experience first-hand, but also a reminder that you don’t need to travel far to connect with nature.”
Proceeds from ‘The Kingdom of the Ice Bear’ event will directly support the Hawk and Owl Trust’s conservation projects at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, helping to maintain and expand its work in protecting Norfolk’s wildlife.
Tickets to Bob’s talk at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve on Friday, 27 September cost £10 and can be purchased from https://members.hawkandowltrust.org/Event-Registration/EventId/108.
Public donations are essential to supporting the Trust’s work. People can also become members to stay updated on new exciting projects and announcements.