Humpback Whales July 14

The reason we were all the way down Digby neck is because we wanted to go whale watching. Our campground host recommended an outfit on Brier island. Catching two ferries to get there was an adventure within itself. Since Digby neck, Long island and Brier island create a long finger down the side of the Bay of Fundy, a lot of water gets caught in the narrow bay behind the finger when the tide comes in. This water then spills into Fundy bay through two narrow passages between the islands. The reverse happens for low tide. These passages are the same places across which the ferries operate. On our way down to Brier island the tide was flowing gently out and we noticed the strong currents during our crossing. Later that day on our return trip the tide was coming in but we must have caught it at peak force. The ferry was facing one direction, but moving in another away from the wharf. We were parked right up front and it was really scary to watch the swirling water racing past us. I had visions of being swept out into the bay. As the engines revved up, the ferry shuddered and slowly got the better of the current. I found myself exhaling as I realized we were not doomed to a night at the mercy of the currents. Brier island is the place to go if you want to see whales. We headed out into the bay and swirling fog. We were soon out in the open water and next thing we knew we had "run" into three humpback whales. These, normally solitary animals, were hanging out together and gave us a wonderful show. The water was clear enough to see the white of their pectoral fins as they neared the surface. It was quite amazing that the rest of this huge animal was almost invisible until it broke the surface of the water. We did not get close to any more whales but did see fountains of spray from others in the distance. They are everywhere! We explored the island (had to wait patiently for a tortoise to cross a road) until we found the local seal colony sunning themselves on exposed tidal rocks. They made a lot of noise and I wonder how any of them get a decent rest. We had a nice bike ride to and from their cove. When basalt cools it forms 5-7 sided columns of hardened rock. These columns weather to form pillars. Think of the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. Wherever we looked along the coast we could see evidence of these pillars. We convinced mom to take a mile hike to a remote spot on Long Island to see a pillar defying gravity while perched precariously on the shoreline. Not only did she have to walk to the viewing spot, but she also had to climb down and up 250 stairs. It was worth the sight.