We spent the day exploring the Saguenay Fjord. After morning chores, we took a hike near Tadoussac. The coast is rocky and reminiscent of Maine or Brittany, with living tidal pools. After a pleasant lunch at a small restaurant overlooking the harbor, we took the dinghies upstream to observe the steep mountains that line the fjord and a dramatic waterfall. We then dinghied out to the mouth of the Saguenay where we’d spotted whales on the way in the day before. And it was amazing! We saw a whole pod of white Belugas and several Minkes up close. Occasionally a seal would pop its head above the surface for a breath, and an expression that seemed to say, “whazzup”?
It’s hard to photograph whales because conservation regulations require keeping a distance of 200 meters (400 in the case of Belugas). But sometimes the whales don’t follow the regulations and pop up closer to you. In the event this happens with Belugas, you’re required to keep moving at 5-10 knots. This is because they are curious ands friendly, and tend to come visit stopped boats, causing them to be distracted from feeding or caring for their young.
A boat from Parks Canada came to where we were watching, and gave us interesting information about the whales, while politely reminding us of the rules and regulations.
Jon and Cheri joined us aboard True North for a barbecue and we finished the evening around a fire pit. This was welcome as temperatures are starting to dip into the 50s F (10s C). We could use some of that worldwide heatwave everybody is talking about! Tomorrow, onwards toward Rimouski, QC.
