Walrus take to Water: Day 4 Part 3

6/20/2012 Wednesday:

Walrus Wednesday!  After dinner, we took a ride on the zodiac over to Torellneset to see more walrus “hauled out” (on land).  All walrus that we see, by the way, are males as the females are on the east coast of Nordaustlandet.  By the time my group, which chose the longer hike, reached the walrus area, they had taken to the water and were actively swimming.  Looked like a bunch of teenagers having fun.  Apparently the wind had picked up and was crowding all of the ice floes along the beach and walrus don’t like to have their exit blocked, thus, they took to the water.  I have now seen walrus up close and personal (from a beach adjacent to where they were swimming).  Their tusks are much larger than I expected and they appear quite playful.   As you may have guessed: the longer the tusks the older the walrus.  Way Cool!

Now you see them (tusks)...

now you don't.

Massive body.

From the front...

from the side.

 Take a ride on a zodiac with back to the ship.  It is an adventure in itself!

Young Explorers

Today, we arranged to take the kids on a tour of the engine room, recycling area, and a personal meeting with the undersea explorer, Jared.  We had more kids show up for this one, 9 plus a young couple that we have befriended on ship (Matt and Stephanie).  The kids loved to see the diving suit and the apparatus used to house the camera to keep it airtight.  The little ones have so many questions and so much to share---lots of energy!

Harmony's pic of the young explorer's in the engine room.

End of Day 4.