Peat Moss and Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park

Two distinct experiences today: peat and whales.

 

Entrance to the peat bog. 

Peat moss is partially rotted plants and greenery.

These rakes were used to gather up the peat. They remove about an inch of the bog per year. 

95% of peat moss is sold to the US.

 These vacuum trucks sucked up the peat into those round cylinders behind the cab. Later, the cylinders would be emptied into a very large container.

The tractors are leased for the summer and then returned to the dealer. 

The bog owns the vacuum contraption.

Eventually, the peat would be packaged into these large white bales. 

 

We had visited the inside of the Marine Park earlier, but we returned after lunch to look for whales.

It was a very windy day, so some of us opted for the upper deck for spotting. 

I stayed outside in the glorious weather.

Thar she blows! I didn't spot the blow (the usual sign of a whale), but was able to spot this fin of a minke whale as she surfaced.

There are a wide variety of whales in this vicinity. 

Some of the RS gang getting ready to board the bus.