VISITING THE WHITES PART II

The other White on our visits is White Island. This also has an attraction for birders as there has been a pair of Bald Eagles nesting here for a number of years. A good second dive after the Whitehorse, it has a shallow profile and the short boat ride makes for a more pleasant surface interval.
The attraction on this day were the seals. My partner and I gave the seals a wide berth mooring the inflatable behind some high rocky ledges that fringe the island. We gave the seals some time to regain their composure and get back to the business of some serious sun bathing before gearing up.
No more than seventy meters away but completely hidden from view, we quietly slipped into the water. I peeked around the corner of the ledge, feeling like a kid spying on his older brother, and took a bearing on the seal's haulout. It was then under water all the way with my eyes flickering between the compass and the direction of the seals. As the bottom began to rise I turned my full attention to scanning the water for seals. The idea was to crawl up the ledge catching the seals still tanning on the rocks. I neared the surface breathing as quietly as possible and poked my mask above the water. There they were, six or seven gray-brown bodies lying around in various states of consciousness. The closest seal looked me right in the eye. There was a brief moment before the most human look of surprise transformed her face. Her eyes widened, the eye brows ( such as they are on a seal ) shot up and her nostrils flared. In less time than it takes to lose an " O RING " the whole herd was gone, splashing and snorting away to a safe distance in the water.
Visiting the " Whites " on a sunny Canada Day is tough to beat. Take along a trusty Avon inflatable and a capable " O ring " installer and you are set for another great day of diving in the Bay of Fundy.

Enjoy diving

Story supplied by: David Logan