Zipper, Trou, Gray Seals and Minke Whales

October 13, 2016: With the beautiful autumn light and breathtaking landscapes, it was another splendid trip out to sea from Tadoussac. How wonderful to be able to take in the colours in the Saguenay Fjord before the winds set the yellow and orange leaves awhirl, and enjoy every moment on the water before the end of the season, just 15 days away now!

This morning’s highlights: large gatherings once again of gray seals near Prince Shoal; over a dozen minke whales in a small area, and three fin whales surfacing from the depths! I easily recognize Trou and Zipper two females known since 1994. In my photos below, one can see the huge scar on Zipper’s right flank (the result of a ship strike) and the large hole behind the blowhole of Bp059 (a.k.a. Trou), which is visible on the animal’s left flank. One photo even shows Trou and Zipper side by side! A third individual is swimming at their sides, with a notch in its dorsal fin. Perhaps yet another individual known to researchers? Stay tuned!

Also worthy of note is the strong presence of eiders being seen off the Tadoussac dunes.

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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.