The Moment
Written by : Rosie Hoban
Have you ever had a moment that completely grounded you? One of those Oh-Sweet-Lord-is-this-really-happening-to-me moments? Heart beating in your mouth, feeling simultaneously both alive and yet strangely removed? Seeing a Humpback Whale, mouth agape, burst through the ocean surface during a ‘bubble net feed’ some 50m from Fin Island cabin was one of those moments for Rob.
Humpback whale surfaces from bubble net feeding with mouth open wide.
Rob was happily on his 3rd coffee for the morning.
Janie was stationed at her desk working at the computer and I was drifting around tidying in the kitchen. Through the pair of ‘big eye’ binoculars Rob was in a concentrated daze shifting his gaze across Squally Channel where the surrounding shores of Pitt, Campania and Gill Islands came into view.
Researcher entering data during an hourly scan.
He had just finished an enjoyable conversation with Janie and a smile was held at the corner of his mouth as he considered his situation.
A devoted surfer and water-baby through and through, he was at complete peace in his surroundings. In our time here so far, he had braved the hypothermic temperatures to gaze into the 800m deep ocean depths below, moved our tent to be within meters of the ocean and its soothing gurgles and constantly planned when he could next get in the kayak or throw in a line. Any opportunity to get closer to that saltwater God to which he worships.
“Hey guys,’ Rob started lightly, his eyes peeling away from the binoculars to focus on something closer. “I think I’m seeing a lot of bubbles. Slowly his voice started to increase in pace and pitch. “That wouldn’t be a bubb… OH MY GOD YOU GUYS ITS A BUBBLE NET FEED! I JUST SAW 2 HUMPBACKS LAUNCH THROUGH THE WATER.’
Humpback whales break the surface during bubble net feeding.
I rushed to view where he was pointing within a stone’s throw of our cabin but sadly missed the whole affair.
His eyes were large and his limbs moved wildly about himself, unable to contain his unbridled joy. When our eyes met I knew he was having that moment and couldn’t stop a giggle escaping. He was still lost in the experience. Elevated by the proximity of a creature who spent its entire existence underwater yet miraculously demonstrated behavior and intellect not so different from our own. A creature that feeds milk to her offspring and sings songs. A creature that appears to watch, learn and then model habits. A creature who works with their counterparts in a bid to increase each others chances of a good feed. A mother of the ocean, a gentle giant, the magnificent, the humpback whale.
A humpback whale breaching.
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Where all members know the exact niche they were meant to fill. These last months I have been blessed to be in just that situation. It began with 2 wonderful men, Eric and Max and of course Cohen the best furry friend one could ever ask for. Our goal was to FINALLY get a hydrophone network up and working so we can listen into the acoustic soundscapes of whales.
Have you ever had a moment that completely grounded you? One of those Oh-Sweet-Lord-is-this-really-happening-to-me moments? Heart beating in your mouth, feeling simultaneously both alive and yet strangely removed? Seeing a Humpback Whale, mouth agape, burst through the ocean surface during a ‘bubble net feed’ some 50m from Fin Island cabin was one of those moments for Rob.
The ocean is clear and still. You are gazing out from a thin wooden deck of a rough strewn cabin, upon a rocky outcrop over looking Squally Channel, near Hartley Bay on the northwest coast of British Columbia (BC). Illuminous green kelp grasp the rocks at the ever ebbing shore line (you will later harvest this to eat with dinner) and green untouched pine forests frame the scene. No, you are not gazing into the latest ‘10minute daily meditation’ iPhone app. This is blissful Canadian wilderness. This is Fin Island.
