Bellot Strait, Canada

August 15, 2025

Captain William Kennedy and his second-in-command, Joseph René Bellot, discovered this strait while searching for the lost Franklin expedition in 1852. This strait separates the northern-most part of mainland North America, Boothia Peninsula, from Somerset Island.

It was my favorite day of the trip because we spotted our first of the rare bowhead whales, had our closest polar bear sighting. We also saw our first mother with cubs and our first musk ox.

The bowhead whales made their appearance early in the morning. Bowhead whales live only in the Arctic. They are named for their large, tough skulls which they use to break through the arctic ice. Their heads are a third the size of their bodies! Breaking through the ice, as well as battles with predators, often leave the whales with unique scars which can be used to identify them.

Unfortunately, their thick layer of blubber that keeps them warm in the frigid arctic waters, also made them a prized target for whale hunters. They are making a slow come back after being hunted almost to extinction. Despite ongoing world-wide efforts to protect them, they are still hunted by Iceland, Norway and Japan. The native peoples of the Arctic are allowed to hunt a limited number as the whaling is an important part of their culture.

Left alone, the bowhead whales are incredibly long-lived. Scientists believe they can live up to 200 years! This theory is supported by evidence such as the discovery of a 150-year-old harpoon tip discovered inside a bowhead whale freshly killed by whalers in 1981.

The ones we saw this morning were quite far away, but still exciting to see! We watched for their distinctive high spouts and tracked them as they fed, hoping for views of their tail as they dove.

Once, I even captured a glimpse of the flipper or pectoral fin, which revealed some of the distinctive scarring that can be used to tell the whales apart.

This can also be seen when the whales showed their tail. You can also see the white markings that develop as the whales get older. Scientists can use these markings to get an idea of the whale's age.

In between watching the whales, I also enjoyed watching the Northern fulmars as they raced along the water before flying off in the sky.

The clear day with the reflections and the patterns in the water made some beautiful pictures.

However, the whales and fulmars were quickly forgotten when a polar bear was spotted swimming towards the boat. The young male bears are very curious. The expedition leaders told stories of bears that have actually tried to climb up the ships. Luckily this bear turned away before actually reaching the ship.

After the polar bear left, some Glaucous Gulls joined the fulmars.

There was stunning scenery as well and an interesting rock cairn.

Exitement rose again when reports of a possible narwhal sighting spread throughout the ship. Sadly, it turned out to be just a distant seal.

However, the disappointment didn't last long as musk ox were spotted on the other side of the ship.

We had just decided to take a break and grab some lunch, when there was another polar bear sighting. This time, a mother with two cubs. I left my lunch on the table and rushed outside. (Luckily, I'd brought my camera with me!)

After watching the ship for a bit, the mother decided it was time to go. She called to her resting cubs and they eventually followed her up the hill.

After lunch, I got a What's App message from the photography group that whales had been spotted in the wake of the ship. I hurried out and was so happy that I'd finally seen orcas in the wild- but sadly, it was just an optical illusion, as can be seen when I zoomed in after dowloading the pictures.

So, I still have seeing orcas in the wild on my bucket list - odd since I grew up in Anacortes in the San Juans.