Continuing the trend from the previous day, our hydrophones remained quiet on August 6th. Well – quiet in terms of whale activity, that is. In truth, the underwater world is almost never truly silent. If you listen closely, you’ll discover a rich soundscape full of diverse noises; natural, biological, and human-made.
The most dominant sound in our oceans these days is, unfortunately, boat noise. These unpleasant sounds are a daily companion in the Lab’s routine, filling the entire water column with the rhythmic thrum of engines. Cruise ships and ferries in particular leave a lasting numbness in our ears. Since we can lower the volume of the recordings, we often wonder how overwhelming this must be a whale. Some of us assistants have actually become quite skilled at identifying different types of boats just by their sound.
But beyond the obvious presence of boats and the occasional whale, the ocean is anything but quiet. On windy days, we can hear the gentle sound of pebbles rolling on the beach, smoothed out by the waves. On rainy days, we can hear the gentle patter of raindrops on the water’s surface. And fish? Far from silent. They make all kinds of noises – grunts, croaks, and pops are just a few examples. Today, the distinct chirping of herring echoed through the hydrophone, making their presence heard. Even shrimp can be heard through the constant crackling and popping they produce. And every so often, we catch the munching sounds of sea cucumbers, crabs and sea urchins as they sit right on top of our hydrophones!
Due to the low orca activity over the past few days, we decided to introduce everyone to one of the most iconic Hanson Island traditions: “calling back” the orcas with kelp horns. To do this, we gathered some bull kelp from the beach, cut off both ends, and used them as trumpets. Soon, not only did the sound of the horns echo across Blackney Pass, but also plenty of giggles and laughter. They’re always a great way to lift the spirits on the island!
In other news, Paul is back on the island, this time with his great-granddaughter Indi – a vibrant, curious, and fun person everyone loves having around.
