Hudson Bay in Manitoba is massive, pristine, and full of wildlife.
Approximately 50,000 beluga whales spend the summer here to feed and give birth.
The Hudson Bay beluga population comprises 35% of the world’s total wild beluga population.
Belugas are very vocal whales, hence their nickname, ‘canaries of the sea.’
They respond to human singing, so I have spent time singing, “Baby Beluga in the Deep Blue Sea,” which they seem to love. They come like puppies when I sing, and sing back under water, so I do not care how ridiculous I know I appear.
The reason these belugas are curious, friendly, and approach human beings, is because they are not hunted in this area.
They swim upside down under the zodiac checking us out. They bump your hand if you trail it in the water. You can see this one approaching the back of the zodiac for a visit.
My son went snorkeling in a dry suit with them and they came immediately to him and played all around him.
Here is the zodiac we explore the bay in and our guide, Deb, who is the best guide we have ever had.
Cheers to you from the glorious and unspoiled Hudson Bay~
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That would be such an amazing experience, to touch their energy like that would be so beautiful ❤️
It is incredible. You just feel happy, very happy, and sense they are happy playing with you too. 🐬
Fantastic!
The are glorious creatures <3
Beautiful. They are really white.
Super bright beautiful white. They appear so clean.
That must be a wonderful experience for another big wild life to come to you and play around you.
I am curious to learn how they respond to human singing?
They vocalize back. We have speakers in the water and hear them and they swim over to play. It is uncanny 🐬
That is amazing. I just read an article by MIT researchers (linguists) who study old primates’ languages (yes they do have) compare to human. They can only have at most two items linked in one sentence while we have much more.
Thank you for telling me this. I didn’t know. I love the concept, ‘study of old primates language.’
Humans are supposed to be smarter.
Why aren’t we.
Most animals respond to singing or music – gee, must be a universal language!
Fascinating isn’t it 🐬
That must have been a wonderful experience! Beautiful post, Cindy.
Very happy you enjoyed & thank you!
What an amazing experience! I’ve been fortunate enough to see orcas on occasion, but I’ve never seen belugas.
I remember watching for them so patiently in Turnagain Arm in Alaska and never seeing them. I have never seen them in the wild, so this was a big thrill.
You do not appear ridiculous to me at all Cindy DooLittle 🙂
Laughing…..Thank you. I have reached the point in life where I do not care how ridiculous I appear, except to the whales, and they love the heck out of the song baby beluga 🐬
I am sure you were their favorite, because you took the time to sing to them.
Singing to whales! Playing with whales!
Hi. I didn’t know that these things can be done. You and your family are having exceptional experiences.
Neil
Thank you. These things definitely can be done and I am making every effort to live life to the fullest before it ends. 🐬
OH MY MY … seeing a pod of belugas must have been awesome! Thanks for sharing the photo capture. 🙂
Thanks for appreciating the 🐬🐬 Frank.
Beautiful creatures.
They are special 🐬
Wow. Beautiful. How great to commune with them.
It is exceptional because they are exceptional 🐬
Cindy, thank you. These pics are beautiful and wonderful!
You are beautiful and wonderful, so thank you more Charles 🐬
Such a fabulous experience. 🙂
Yes. Wild critters are utterly remarkable to see in the wild.
Another wonderful post Cindy. Thanks so much for sharing.
Cheers to you Gary & thank you for your thoughtful appreciation 🐋
Every one of your beautiful photographs tell a story. This post is a feast – thank you.
Awww, you make me happy I posted. Thank you Anne <3
The whales are a beautiful sight.
I <3 people who <3 🐋🐋!
What an amazing experience. That is fantastic that they are playful and love singing. My kind of creature. It is good to hear they are free in Hudson Bay and can play and sing as much as they want. I hope it never changes.
I hope it never changes too. They are magical and endearing creatures 🐋
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Beautiful pictures from Cindy Knoke of Hudson’s Bay and the many Beluga whales swimming around there.
Hugs & cheers to you sweet friend & thank you for your thoughtfulness 🐋
OH HOW AWESOME. I would so love to be where you are. Fantastic pix!
So happy you enjoyed the 🐋🐋 and I hope you see them too someday.
Wow! How lovely!
Thank you! They are lovely creatures 🐋
How fantastic!
Definitely worth all the effort to get here!
hello Cindy, a greeting, nice post
Thank you & greetings back to you 🐋
How lovely you can sing and swim with the beluga whales and that there is mutual enjoyment. Something similar happens off the coast of Cairns, Australia. Perhaps you could come and sing to them next. The dwarf minke whales come every year and seem to thrive on interaction with humans. https://www.australia.com/en/things-to-do/nature-and-wildlife/minke-whale-season.html.
How completely wonderful! I am traveling to Oz early next year but not to Cairns darn-it. I will love to visit the minkes. The only time I have seen minke whales was in Antarctica as they come to the boat to check us out and were full of friendly curiosity, but they also were being hunted by Japanese whalers with explosive tipped harpoons.
Oh dear, no wonder the minkes are so happy and comfortable around Cairns where people just want to play with them. Exciting to know you will be in Australia next year.
God Bless Cairns, and all the people who want to play with, or at least, say hello to, whales. God Bless you too Mandy. <3
🙂 🙂 🙂
Wunderbare Bilder. Chapeau
Danke schoen Ernst und prost! 🐋
Lovely images and singing story
Thank you Derrick & cheers to you my friend 🐳
What a fabulous experience. I’ve just been reading today scientists have discovered that not only do whales have a sing-a-long as they travel when they meet other whales they swap ‘songs’.
Yes, and different pods have different singing languages. Wild animals are far more complex than we give them credit for being.
Fabulous experience, Cindy!
Yet another sample of mother nature’s glory 🐳
😍
oh, wie schön, liebe Cindy, beste Grüße von mir zu dir, Klaus
Vielen Dank Klaus und herzliche Grüße an dich, mein Freund 🐳
immer wieder gerne
Sie und ich freuen uns beide. Vielen Dank.
What a beautiful experience, Cindy 😀
Mother Nature sponsors the best shows on earth 🐳
I can only agree, Cindy 🙂
What a wonderful experience!
Ye, thank you, it was. 🐳
I am so envious and happy you can experience this! xox
Thank you. It took a lifetime to get here but was worth the wait 🐳
Now this would be fun.
That is exactly what it is, wonderfully fun 🐳
What a great adventure for you, Cindy, to watch the beluga whales in the Hudson Bay! I also like the introductory photo of the old building at the sea.
Thank you Peter. I like the old building too. Hudson Bay is one of the mostly starkly beautiful places I have seen. This isolated ruin has a story to tell about survival in this harsh habitat. I wonder what the story is.
They sound like delightful beings to sing, play, and make friends. It’s nice to know they are appreciated and not hunted in Hudson Bay. I would love to experience them close up like that. Thanks for sharing the joy Cindy!
Thank you more for appreciating the 🐳🐳 Brad & cheers to you.
What a thrill to have them respond to your singing Cindy.
Leslie xoxo
Whales sing to each other, so it’s understandable they might be interesting in humans singing, no matter how off key!
It’s the interaction between the species that is so inspiring….
What a fabulous post, Cindy! The Belugas are amazing and you’ve captured them beautifully.
SING, SING!!!!
I know it seems unspoiled up there in Hudson Bay, but there are many pollution issues. There are also encroaching global issues. As the polar ice melts, other countries seek the northwest passage.
They would love a slice of our north, and constantly challenge our sovereignty. So far flag planting by Norway, Denmark, Russia (planted one under the water) & I’m not sure who else, have had their challenges rejected by the UN.
No one gave a hoot until climate change. Now, everyone has their eyes on the raw resources: animal, vegetable and mineral.
They who plunder the planet for profit continue their evil for $$$$$$$$$
It is a continuing battle isn’t it, between those who wish to protect and those who wish to exploit and we know who is winning at this point and it isn’t us.
Le sniff!
SING SING SING
How precious that you sing to these whales and they come right to you, singing along with you! I think I’d simply love that! And your son is so fortunate to have been able to swim right alongside them. What wonderful creatures — and I’m thrilled no one’s hurting them!
You got me singing Raffi’s Baby Beluga! 😀 Beautiful, Cindy!
I sing to my grandson and don’t care about anyone listening!
For how long wil we still be able to watch them? 🙁
were you able to get there overland? the top picture is so inviting
What wonderful creatures and adventures with them. Thank you so much Cindy for sharing these special moments 💕
The numbers are absolutely amazing and so are the white colour. I have never seen anything like this. Awesome set of photos, Cindy.
Oh what a magical experience! And how very sweet to hear of an unspoiled place.
Alison
The whole history of this place, it’s wild animals, and wild people, who live here all the time, and survive, is just utterly unique. The Hudson Bay and it’s wild creatures are doing better than they have since historical hunting was ridiculous and uncontrolled.
Hey, Traveller Lady! Refreshing and informative – as always! Thank you
Love to you and thank you 🐳
Fantabulous! 💖
<3 you and 🐳🐳!
Goodness. I want you to be my travel planner. This whale expedition looks really stupendous. I can’t imagine seeing all the whales and hearing them. It’s also just a beautiful landscape.
So nice of you! Thank you. I love planning trips almost as much as I love taking them. So much to think about before you go, and then you are there, and it is always interesting.
Incredible captures!
You are the most awesome photographer. Your images constantly stop me in my track. I have to look at them more.
Awww….you are so kind, Cindy ❤
Just the truth lady.
Sounds and looks like heaven to me! 🙂
Yep. Seemed that way to me too. There were people living here, who live here all season, and have done so all their lives. I envied them. Their life is so different from mine and possibly, actually, better.