August 13
Doing some quick research online, I gave up on the person I was waiting for to take the tour to Prince of Wales Fort. I booked with a different organization that allowed me the opportunity to explore the fort, and have an hour of time with the Beluga whales as well. This seemed like the perfect outing.
I showed up at the meeting place well in advance and waited for the transportation to the boat. In short time we were loaded onto an old city bus and driven out to the dock. The boat was a significant size, perfect to accomodate the number of people who were coming along with us. A very speedy trip across the river and we were docking near the fort. Parks Canada people gave everyone a bit of background information, and a briefing on staying safe in an area frequented by polar bears. Indeed, a quick look around and we saw several armed gentlemen on vigilant patrol, overseeing us as we moved along the boardwalk to the fort.
Once safely inside, the doors were closed and locked and a tour commenced, allowing everyone the opportunity to explore the fort in detail.
We eventually returned to the boat and headed out onto the open water to begin our experience with the Belugas. I was amazed by their numbers and by how curious they appeared to be, which was surprising given the number of tour boats they must see each season here. Yet, they swarmed the boat, swimming about us on all sides. There were hundreds of individuals who checked us out over our time there, including mothers with calves.
I returned to our room, eager to look over the footage I'd shot of these remarkable creatures only to discover a camera setting had inadvertantly been changed, and all of the footage after leaving the fort was useless...
Eventually, I relaxed and after conversation with my father, I decided I would book the "whales-only" tour for the following day in an attempt to recapture the footage I'd lost. In the mean time, we drove out to the Rocket Research Range for a final, detailed look around.
August 14
Once again, I was at the designated meeting place for the bus to bring us to the docks. I noticed a young couple who had been on the boat with me yesterday who were also going back out for a second look at the whales. Perhaps they messed up their footage too.
Today would be different, however, in that we would be travelling on a significantly smaller boat, a zodiac, piloted by a young Inuit woman. In retrospect, I consider myself lucky to have been on this outing. She knew her stuff, not just with the boat, but also about the whales and surrounding area. And as she pointed out the polar bear on the distant beach, I realized she also had the eyes of an eagel.
I returned from the trip with my footage intact and compiled in the short film below. Being even closer to these amazing creatures was the perfect way to finish out the trip.
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