What if you had lived your entire life indoors, and suddenly, one day, you emerged into a wintry wonderland?
That's exactly what happened to these adorable polar bear cubs, and one photographer was lucky enough, and dedicated enough, to catch it all on camera.
Whether they are discovering a glorious winter wonderland or meeting new friends for the first time, watching bear cubs in action never gets old. And photographer Thomas Kokta spent nearly a full year tracking down this polar bear family.
Kokta then camped out at Wapusk National Park in Canada, one of the largest polar bear maternity denning regions known to man, for 11 days straight. That translates to roughly 250 hours, braving strong winds and temperatures as low as -67 °F to photograph these wild animals, as they emerged into the outside world for the very first time.
Scroll through below to see this unbelievable polar bear clan, and why they were definitely worth the wait.
[H/T: Daily Mail]
Thomas Kokta camped out at Wapusk National Park in Canada for 11 frigid days to capture the perfect picture, and his determination paid off when out popped these cuties!
These adorable polar bear cubs sprang up from their mother's den greeting the world, and Kokta's lens, with glee.
These cubs stepped into the outside world, ready to play and explore their surroundings. This new, snowy terrain quickly became a winter wonderland, perfect for unleashing some friendly sibling rivalry.
Kokta continued documenting these pups' wonder and excitement for several days as they ventured further into their new surroundings.
While Kokta certainly caught these cubs enjoying their newfound freedom, it wasn't long before they were curled back up with Mom. This breathtakingly tender moment turned into a priceless prize for Kokta's incredible resolve.
Why brave such harsh conditions for these particular photos? Captivated by these wild animals, Kokta told the Daily Mail, "Polar bear mothers and cubs are not seen by many at this stage. The cubs are only 2 months old and everything is new to them."
Amazingly enough, this was not Kokta's first time braving the elements in the name of wildlife photography.
A former university professor, Kokta now spends his life touring the globe, capturing stills for Getty Images and Masterfile. He also leads unique tours to exotic destinations via A Life of Travel, helping his guests trek through a slew of breathtaking locations worldwide.
His efforts certainly have paid off over the years, allowing him to capture majestic moments like these.
He gladly shares his photography with those of us who may not be able to meet such beautiful creatures, visit such exotic locals, or withstand 250 hours of temperatures as low as -67 °F.
Despite treacherous conditions, Kokta never gives up on his subjects. Even a waist-deep dive straight into these subjects' snowy den didn't deter his mission to capture the unseen moments of life in the wild.
Capturing these cubs' excitement and new love for the world outside, Kokta's photos truly were worth the wait.
What would you brave -67 °F temperatures to see? What do you think of these adorable babies? Let us know in the comments.
Please SHARE these adorable polar bear cubs with animal lovers everywhere!
