Polar bears huddle together in the snow and go for early morning explores in these stunning photographs.
The beautiful animals also lounge around in the white stuff during the sunrise golden hour.
It comes ahead of International Polar Bear Day on Monday (27 February).
Brit photographer Stephen Dean has captured the spectacular scenes of the bears prowling through the snow and sniffing around curiously.
The photographer visited Hudson’s Bay, Nunavut, Canada, which is situated across from Greenland.
Stephen braved the frosty air, waiting out patiently in a desolate camp miles from civilisation to enable him to capture these magnificent creatures.
In one shot, one of the polar bears can be seen pacing through the snow with a cub in between its legs.
In another image, two polar bears come face to face as they inspect the ground curiously, while basking in the sunlight.
Meanwhile, in another snap, three polar bears huddle together as they pace their way across the snowy land in the gleaming sun.
Later, a solitary bear is captured in incredible detail, as it lays across the frosty landscape.
Another picture shows a bear huddled up on the ice while an arctic fox features in the background.
Stephen, 43, from Buckinghamshire, said “It was so amazing to see these creatures in the flesh.
“We were staying in a desolate camp, 100 miles from anywhere.
“We were on the coast and the polar bear passed through to head north.
“While I was taking pictures I realised how amazing it was; that we were on ground level with polar bear.
“We didn’t disturb them just admired, and they weren’t phased.
“The polar bears came often in the mornings, I think they knew breakfast was being cooked.
“I feel so lucky to have the chance to have captured them.
“They could become rare at any point so it’s really important people recognise the impacts of climate change on creatures like these.”
On Monday, Polar Bears International will be celebrating International Polar Bear Day to help raise awareness and protect denning mothers and their cubs.
Climate change is significantly impacting the wellbeing of polar bears and it is projected that they will go extinct within the next 30 years.
He added “This is a really important day to raise awareness of how climate change is affecting our polar bears.
“Not everyone will understand the risk these creatures are under so it’s important to celebrate them, as well as raising awareness too.”
