What? Whales in a river? Well, yes and no because the leviathans are seen where the river has become more of a long, narrow estuary (actually the largest in the world). Nevertheless, this part of the Saint Lawrence is still referred to as a river so you could technically say that you saw whales in a river if you look for them from the village of Tadoussac. Semantics aside, this is one of the best sites for whale watching in North America. Lots of whales of four or five species can be seen after a short boat ride out into the middle of the river as opposed to occasional sightings of a few whales after motoring way out into the open ocean.

At Tadoussac, Quebec, the dramatic Sanguenay Fjord (can a fjord afford to not be dramatic?) connects with the Saint Lawrence River to provide spectacular views of cliffs that soar hundreds of feet into the air even if you don’t see any whales. In all likelihood, though, you will almost certainly see cetaceans and probably quite a few because the Sanguenay River also empties a huge amount of nutrients into the Saint Lawrence. This microscopic smorgasbord attracts plankton which in turn brings in the big guys.

Humpback, Fin, and Minke Whales are commonly seen during the summer months and the lagest animal that has ever lived on the planet, the Blue Whale, is also regularly seen in the area! Another star mammal often viewed near the confluence of the Sanguenay and Saint Lawrence is the Beluga Whale. An isolated Saint Lawrence population of these uncommon, bus-sized, white whales was the impetus for the creation of the Sanguenay-Saint Lawrence National Park. Smaller marine mammals such as seals, porpoises, and dolphins are also frequently sighted and visitors to the area might even see a Killer Whale or the critically endangered Northern Right Whale.

All of this whale watching is easily done during the summer months on trips that leave from Tadoussac, a short, three hour drive from Quebec City.

People with an interest in the natural world tend to become birdwatchers rather than say bat watchers for the simple reason that birds are easier to see than other members of the animal kingdom. They are also popular to watch because many species make pleasant sounding noises (except for crows and peafowl), some sport brightly colored plumage, and most have evolved the enviable ability to fly.

This latter attribute also allows birds to migrate huge distances in a short amount of time during which they pass through areas not frequented at other times of the year. While they migrate, many of our feathered friends stick to following rivers and coastlines for navigation and because it’s safer than flying over the water. Because of this, migrating birds sometimes concentrate in huge numbers on peninsulas that are strategically situated in the areas they use for migration.

One of the most effective of the “migrant traps” is Point Pelee National Park in southern Ontario, Canada. This park is shaped like a funnel and it has the same affect on migrating birds as a funnel does for pouring liquid. In the Fall, scattered birds on their way south become more concentrated in numbers as they fly down the land mass of the point that becomes more and more narrow until a thin strip of sand juts south into Lake Erie. In the Spring, the point acts like a beacon of hope to huge numbers of birds that are tired and hungry from flying long distances.

The months of May and September are the best times of the year to visit the park and witness flocks of hundreds of small birds trooping through the woods as well as endless strings of ducks, cormorants, gulls, and terns that fly past the point. There are a number of picnic sites, various trails and marsh boardwalks, and because much of the point is closed to cars, the park is also a beautiful place to go biking or for a walk.