Gray Seals, Minke Whales, Fin Whales and Spectacular Scenery

In recent days, we’ve been observing gatherings of hundreds of gray seals off of Tadoussac. Above them, flocks of herring and great black-backed gulls, as well as black-legged kittiwakes and Bonaparte’s gulls.

Minke whales are also cashing in on this feast and sometimes surface within a few metres of the seals, who don’t appear intimidated!

Indeed, food is abundant in the area, especially schools of fish, since I am able to observe gulls repeatedly swooping down and catching small fish near the water surface.

A little farther offshore, a handful of fin whales continue to explore the area.

But there’s more to admire in the backyard of our villages than just whales and birds. There’s also the wonderful scenery, the setting sun in the late afternoon, stormy skies, rising waves, the mist that appears and disappears like magic…

Here are a few photos taken in recent days:

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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.