“Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea / Swim so wild and swim so free / Heaven above and the sea below / See the little white whale on the go / Baby Beluga, baby Beluga / Is the water warm, Is your mama home / With you so happy?” (Baby Beluga by Raffi, 1980)
Most anyone growing up in the 80s, or raising a family then, will remember Raffi’s sweet song, Baby Beluga. It swirled through my mind the entire trip to Tadoussac. Perhaps now it’s stuck in yours? You’re welcome. :=)
Our bucket-list roadtrip was wonderful. We’d seen several belugas from shore, and it could have been enough. Yet on the day of our departure, we’d one more hopeful stop to make. Catching the Rt. 138 ferry in Tadoussac for our westwardly return, we pulled off at Point Noire Observation & Interpretation Centre.
The tiny parking lot doesn’t hint to the extent of this property. Viewing platforms are available at varied levels, including near to entry, but we continued down, down, down to the bottom, still a considerable distance above the waterline. Even with my good camera, I needed to get as close as possible for a decent shot.
We felt as if we’d hit the beluga jackpot! We lingered as long as we could, enjoying the slow dance of a dozen or more beauties in Baie Sainte Catherine.
They surfaced sometimes in pairs; more typically, solo, all over the bay. We observed one presumably playful interaction between (white) adult and (gray) youngster, where splashing ensued. Otherwise, they were quiet and calm. Adults never showed off a flipper or fluke, just bright white backs arching above the waterline before gently sinking beneath the surface, revealing neither head nor tail.
Thus I was thrilled to capture an image of a juvenile flipper and another of a baby fluke!
Seems such a small thing, eh? I took much pleasure in this unexpected bonus. I’m grateful to God, who also delights in small things. A sparrow. A lily. A couple of fish and few loaves of bread. Me and you.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear (respect) him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 33:18)
~ Sincerely, Sondra
