A Day on the Heron

By our intrepid reporter, Kim Delorey

1. Blacks Harbour waiting for the ferry, pretending to know what they are holding are, left to right: John Hughes Clarke (who knew what was being held), Tracey Hawco (holding a "tripod and an orange box"), and Kim Delorey (holding a "stick with numbers on it"). Photo by L. O'Brien, 24 July 2002.

While waiting for the Grand Manan ferry in Blacks Harbour we had every intention of putting in a good day's work (Photo 1).

2. Ferry ride to Grand Manan on board the M.V. Grand Manan IV. Left to right: Kim Delorey, John Hughes Clarke, Linda O'Brien, and Tracey Hawco. Photo by cooperative passenger, 24 July 2002.

Our day started early with a morning ferry ride over to Grand Manan (Photo 2).

3. Survey Launch Heron with two of the Department's Ocean Mapping Group's hardest workers, left to right, Jennifer Coppola and Anya Duxfield. Photo by John Hughes Clarke, 24 July 2002.

We found the Heron tied up at the wharf in Flaggs Cove (Photo 3). It seems the Heron was having a small mechanical problem, so a mechanic, a diver, and Captain Loren Fleet were working hard to get things going for the day.

4. Jennifer Coppola and Anya Duxfield on board the Heron. Photo by L. O'Brien, 24 July 2002.

Shortly we boarded the boat, set off, and watched Loren, Anya Duxfield and Jennifer Coppola working hard on collecting and processing data in very cozy quarters (Photo 4).

5. Pettes Cove with kayakers trying out their sea legs, or sea stomachs, as the case may be. Photo by John Hughes Clarke, 24 July 2002.

We did some surveying and some sightseeing and saw some seals in Hole in the Wall Cove and kayakers in Pettes Cove (Photo 5).

6. Pettes Cove, the Heron, the ferry, herring weirs, and the Swallowtail Lighthouse - but no whales! Photo by John Hughes Clarke, 24 July 2002.

No whales (Photo 6).

7. Tracey Hawco and Linda O'Brien enroute to Swallowtail Lighthouse, which, for some, was very daunting. Photo by John Hughes Clarke, 24 July 2002.

After our cruise, John took us on a short tour of the island (Photo 7).

8. Possible seal, probable buoy, however, Tracey says she can see whiskers; can you? Photo by L. O'Brien, 24 July 2002.

The view from the cliffs at Long Eddy Point is truly breathtaking. Saw more seals. No whales (Photo 8).

9. Lunch in front of Swallowtail Lighthouse; left to right: Kim Delorey, John Hughes Clarke, Tracey Hawco. Photo by L. O'Brien, 24 July 2002.

We had a late lunch (Photo 9) ...

10. Swallowtail Lighthouse. Photo by John Hughes Clarke, 24 July 2002.

... next to the Swallowtail Lighthouse (Photo 10) at what truly seems to be the end of the world. Very peaceful. More seals, no whales.

11. Sailing out of the ferry terminal at North Head; left to right: John Hughes Clarke, Tracey Hawco, 24 July 2002.

Our day was coming to an end. We boarded the ferry for home (Photo 11).

12. Bidding farewell to the Heron on our way home. Photo by L. O'Brien, 24 July 2002.

We said a final farewell to the Heron and her crew (Photo 12). We weren't out long when someone spotted a porpoise. There were small groups of them seemingly everywhere. We were an excited bunch of watchers and helpfully pointed out sightings to each other every time we spotted another group. We were all looking out in the same direction when what appeared to be just another porpoise surfaced. There were some pretty ecstatic screams when we all realized it was a whale!! We think it may have been a minke whale, which really isn't that big and is fairly common - but it was a whale, at last!!

Thanks to John, it was a long but incredible and memorable day. We certainly have a better appreciation for the hard work and long hours that the Ocean Mapping people in general, and Anya and Jennifer in particular, put in every day.