Barents Sea
As Endeavour makes her way North towards Björnöya, stepping outside brings a distinctly different sensation. There is a twinge of frost in the air, enough of a twinge the hats and gloves are coming out of the closet, something we have not experienced during our previous days in the fjords.
Along with the air, the sea temperature has dropped down from a balmy 10°C (50°F) to 4°C (37°F). For some the thought of getting into this water on purpose may be considered a small act of insanity. For Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo, it is what he lives for. Equipped with an underwater digital camera, enshrouded in a dry suit, Dennis takes the plunge to bring the fascinating underwater world back to the guests. As the water gets colder, the sea becomes richer, full of oxygen that warmer waters just cannot hold. Resilient sea creatures begin to grow everywhere, surfaces covered with anemones, sea stars and hydroids, all collecting their food from what lives in the water column. Pelagic animals, such as the moon jelly, tinefores, and jellyfish pulsate through the water, grabbing small planktonic creatures for meals as they travel. Fish are numerous, often surrounding the divers as they descend into the blue green depths. These waters offer such a variety of creatures that it is often difficult to know where to point the camera.
Small creatures (by comparison) are not the only ones to populate these rich waters. While cruising today, the guests on Endeavour were lucky to run across a lone Humpback whale. This baleen whale made a nice display of its size and power as it rolled at the surface displaying both of its pectoral fins, and then with a great SMACK brought them down upon the water. Even more impressive was the feat of lifting its 25 - ton body clear out of the water while breaching.
The anticipation is certainly building onboard Endeavour; the hope of snow and ice in our future is innately stirred with the first smell of winter weather. We may not have to wait long, as there is ice reported around Björnöya. The excitement builds and hopes are high that in the next few days we will site what most of us have traveled this far for: The Ice Bear!
Top photo: An Edible Crab, found commonly in the Norwegian Waters. Bottom photo: Humpback Whale in the Barents Sea.
