Thar' be whales!

[spt29970]

Not underwater, but close enough that perhaps you will forgive me. I got some amazing humpback whale photos on my recent dive trip in Alaska. Here is a beautiful breach. (Click on images for more details)



Even more exciting is that we saw bubble-net feeding. Absolutely amazing!


Here is a closeup

 

[justleesa]

WOW!

excuse me for asking, what is bubble-net feeding?

What lens did you use?

 

[dpbishop]

Bubble net feeding:

A pod of Humpback whales will swim in a circle underwater while exhaling. The rising bubbles serve to corral the krill in a compact group and the whales then come up through the krill ball with their mouths open, scooping in vast quantities of the "tasty morsels".

It was first observed only a few years ago as far as I know, it is amazing that the OP was lucky enough to see it. Color me green with jealousy.

 

[justleesa]

double WOW!

 

[spt29970]

I probably should have added a little more explanation. We were excited and thrilled to witness humpbacks performing bubble net feeding. If there was ever any doubt of the intelligence of these magnificent animals, witnessing this cooperative feeding behavior will convince you. A group of 5-20 animals simultaneously dive near a school of bait fish. Then they blow a ring a bubbles around the school that coral the fish into the center. Then simultaneously the whales blast through the school and leap out of the water with their mouths open. It was an awesome sight, and yes, I feel amazingly privileged to have experienced it.

 

[Jim Ernst]

Great pictures Buddy..!

Great experience...!!

Thank you for showing/sharing with us, They are outstanding!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Wow! What great photos of an awesome sight. Thanks for sharing!

 

[paradicio]

Absolutely amazing! How do you come back from a trip like you've had???

 

[Jim Ernst]

Absolutely amazing! How do you come back from a trip like you've had???

Run Out of MONEY

 

[DennisW]

Now that had to be an amazing experience. Thanks so much for sharing.