Sunday, July 15, 2012

Green Heads, take cover.

This morning we continued down the New Brunswick coast to Miramichi Bay which is just at the Northern end of the Northumberland Strait. Now you might ask, where is the Northumberland Strait? It's the body of water that separates Prince Edward Island from New Brunswick.


A little geography is always a good segway into a little geology. Man is New Brunswick flat! I dont think the place has an elevation over 10 feet. It's incredible to see the abrupt change from the cliffs of Gaspe to here.


And while we are having our lessons, lets talk about biology too. OMG, the Green Heads here are the size of sparrows. We slowly worked our way up behind Portage island which is a national wildlife refuge to anchor for the night, and thought we would launch the dinghy and go exploring. Ha! Forgetaboutit! These avian vampires were on every window and every screen before we even lowered the anchor. Can we come in? Can we come in? Of course with all the trashy horror movies I've watched, I know you NEVER invite a vampire into your house, so we are safe and sound. So much for a dinghy ride.


Last, but not least, a few words on the local customs and economy. Most of the economy around here appears to related to fishing, and we've noticed a few things that are quite different from Gloucester. First, their lobstering has a season where in Gloucester its open all year. The season runs from April to July 15, so they are now finished for the year. We think it's because they use the old style traps that don't have the back door left open. Trap design at home is highly specified and includes an escape door that allows babies to escape. Underwater cameras have shown that our traps are basically revolving doors with all size lobsters freely entering and leaving. The only time it's a "trap" is if the lobster happens to be in it when you haul it out of the water. We suspect the Canadian traps are actually traps, so they need to limit the season since they actually catch something.


And the trawler season appears to be very sort too. As we were leaving Shippagan this morning, it appeared that the entire fleet was up on dry land. We were wondering why the boats appear to be in so much better condition, and I think its because they launch for the short season, then haul right back out again.


Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are off the PEI.

3 comments:

  1. Finally got to your blog!!! I will be in Cape Breton.....August 1 through 6th...family reunion in St Peter's!! I will be staying at my brother's in Janvrin Island.
    Any chance at all you'll still be up that way??
    hey Laurie......I miss you! cannot wait to hear of all your travels!! xxpeg

    ReplyDelete
  2. Greenheads very bad this year in West Gloucester too.....try not to bring any new species back with you.

    Carson, the butler at Mont Richard

    ReplyDelete
  3. Greenheads and deer fly. Totally useless insects.

    ReplyDelete

Make comments here