Breaching Minke Whale and Surface Feeding Humpback

More great moments were enjoyed off Tadoussac on the morning of August 25, 2016.

Moderate winds from the southwest and variable skies. Suddenly we spot a minke whale execute a full breach out of the water. This individual approaches us, allowing me to take the photos below…

A short while later, we are between Tadoussac and Les Bergeronnes, where we cross paths with a humpback (“Picotine”) in the midst of surface feeding, mouth agape and ventral grooves expanded. We can also see its broad white pectoral fins through the clear water. What grace!

A few minutes later, we observe the huge spout of a blue whale patrolling the area.

Not to mention the presence of several minke whales, a group of several hundred gray seals and flocks of double-crested cormorants. I should also point out that northern gannets have been becoming more numerous in the area in recent days. But I’ll tell you more about that in my upcoming field notes!

Here are the photos of the day:

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GREMM research assistant from 2003 to 2009 and from 2012 to 2014, Renaud Pintiaux is a passionate observer and photographer. Year round, whether from shore or on the water, he takes every opportunity to observe marine mammals and birds in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.