Photograph by @paulnicklen // During the fall months and while they wait for the sea ice to freeze, polar bears perform mock battles. These skills that they gain from these matches will come in handy when they fight for real for the right to breed in the spring. The sea ice is freezing later each fall and melting earlier each spring causing the bears to have less time on the ice eating seals. #follow me on @paulnicklen to see more of my favorite images from the polar regions. #climatechange #polarbear #beauty #nature #wildlife #adventure #climatereality @natgeocreative @thephotosociety #gratitude #instagood #naturelovers