Humpback Whales Feeding
by Robert Bales
Title
Humpback Whales Feeding
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
This is a co-operative feeding behavior of Humpback whales that is seen in very few places. We are lucky to have groups of whales in our area that have learned this unique method of feeding.
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a species of baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12�16 metres (39�52 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. An acrobatic animal known for breaching and slapping the water with its tail and pectorals, it is popular with whale watchers off Australia, New Zealand, South America, Canada, and the United States.
Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating.
Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres (16,000 mi) each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, humpbacks fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the bubble net feeding technique.
Like other large whales, the humpback was and is a target for the whaling industry. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, its population fell by an estimated 90% before a moratorium was introduced in 1966. While stocks have since partially recovered, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution continue to impact the 80,000 humpbacks worldwide
A group of whales working together will dive under schools of herring, one whale will swim in a circle while blowing bubbles under the herring. When the bubbles rise they form a net and scare the herring into a tight ball in the center. The whales then come up through the middle with their mouths open, capturing large amounts food.
An average group size is 5 to 8 animals but we have seen as many as 25 whales working together. While they are searching for their prey the whales communicate with each other with a series of calls similar to the whale songs you may have heard recorded in Hawaii. These usually culminate with one loud blast to frighten the herring just before the whales break the surface. We often drop a hydrophone over the side to listen in, adding to the excitement of seeing this amazing performance
Uploaded
February 15th, 2013
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Comments (11)
Kelley Freel-Ebner
Congratulations! Your extraordinary work has been Featured in the Fine Art America group “The Earth Is Art”! You are invited to archive your featured image for permanent storage and for viewing on the Discussions Page in: “2018 Member's Extraordinary Features Images Archive 3.0!” theme. Simply copy your image’s Embed URL on your image’s profile page, and paste it into the Discussion Topic site: https://fineartamerica.com/groups/the-earth-is-art-.html?showmessage=true&messageid=4138611
G Berry
wow how lucky to capture them feeding... fantastic
Robert Bales replied:
It sure was a great time to watch this and thanks so much. We saw this several times while living on our boat.
Meryl Goudey
Amazing. Hubby and I had the best whale experience in Alaska but did not see the bubble feeding. L/F They were breaching.
Robert Bales replied:
Yes they sure are great to see. I miss traveling on our boat to Alaska. I remember see these feeding while I was out in our dinghy fishing and that is a little scary!
Kym Backland
Robert, REALLY? Wow!!! You are one lucky guy! A group of whales in your line of the lens? How great is that? Fav'd