An adult Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) in melt water pool in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, Arctic, Europe

A melt water pool on first year sea ice near Snow Hill Island, Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Melt water pools in the 10/10ths pack ice in McClintock Channel, Northwest Passage, Nunavut, Canada, North America

Melt water pools in the 10/10ths pack ice in McClintock Channel, Northwest Passage, Nunavut, Canada, North America

Sunset over melt water pools in the heavy pack ice in McClintock Channel, Northwest Passage, Nunavut, Canada, North America

Adult polar bear (Ursus maritimus) reflected in melt water pool on multi-year ice floes in the Barents Sea off the eastern coast of Edgeÿya (Edge Island) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. (rr)

Adult polar bear (Ursus maritimus) reflected in melt water pool on multi-year ice floes in the Barents Sea off the eastern coast of EdgeØya (Edge Island) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.

Adult polar bear (Ursus maritimus) reflected in melt water pool on multi-year ice floes in the Barents Sea off the eastern coast of EdgeØya (Edge Island) in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway.