Summer night at Cross Bay, Chukotka, Russia.

Chukotka, part 8: Mountains (continued)

In many places along the coast of Chukotka, especially in the eastern part, mountains come close to the sea, forming rocky capes separated by deep fjords.

Cross Bay.

Cross Bay.

Four beautiful fjords branch off Cross Bay, nine are located further east, and four - in southern Chukotka.

Mountains of Iskaten Range around Cross Bay.

Cross Bay near Egvenkinot.

Coast of Etelkuyum Bay - one of Cross Bay fjords.

Steep shores of those fjords shelter southern slopes from northern winds, but not from drifting snow. The result is high climate and habitat diversity in small areas.

Glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus), Etelkuyum Bay.

Arctic mountain-avens (Dryas octopetala), Itelkuyum Bay.

Alpine mountain-avens (D. integrifolia), Itelkuyum Bay.

Cross Bay near Egvenkinot.

As a result of the diverse conditions and lack of complete glaciation in recent past, these fjords have the highest botanical diversity anywhere in the Arctic - over 600 species of vascular plants.

Tundra poppy (Papaver lapponicum ssp. orientale), Cross Bay.

Tundra poppy is highly polymorphic. Left to right: Golden Ridge, Belyaka Spit, Cross Bay.

Kamchatka swallowtail (Papilio machaon kamchatkensis), Golden Ridge.

South- facing fjord slopes are also the best place to look for rare butterflies. Most have their wings torn by strong winds.

Kamchatka swallowtail, Golden Ridge.

Phoebe parnassian (Parnassius phoebus), Cross Bay.

Orb-weaving spider (Araneus sp.), Golden Ridge.

Cooking chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), Sbornaya River.

In July, rivers of Chukotka are filled with salmon. There are only three salmon species here, plus Arctic grayling and many kinds of char and whitefish.

Chum salmon eggs, Sbornaya River.

Never-melting accumulations of drifting snow, Etelkuyum Bay.

Hardships of fieldwork, Sbornaya River.

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus), Etelkuyum Bay.

Polar bears leave the mainland in summer, but some get stuck and wait out the heat on high mountain slopes above cold fjords.

Polar bear, Etelkuyum Bay.

Summer night at Cross Bay, Chukotka, Russia.

Part 9. South from Chukotka

Back to Part 7