Bubblenetting

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The Humpbacks bubblenet in a quiet cove in the Sitka Sound.

Shreddy

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: This Humpback is called Shreddy and is easily identified due to his malformed tail fluke which was probably caught in a boat propeller long ago.

From Whales

Jumping for Joy? B&W

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: This Humpback is breaching, jumping out of the water, and we don't know exactly why whales breach. Some researchers speculate it could be because they are happy, or maybe they want to communicate with their pod members, or possibly send their location to others. B&W

From Whales

Half-hearted Breach

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: This Humpback is showing us a "mini" breach as he doesn't launch himself very far out of the water. Maybe this half-hearted breach has meaning too?

From Whales

Big Splash

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Even a mini-breach can create a dramatic splash.

Watching the Birds

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: During a lull while we were waiting for the whales to surface, I watched the various birds interact on this rocky outcrop.

A Congregation

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The fishermen have assembled and are waiting for the Alaska Fish & Game to give them the Go-Ahead to begin fishing for the herring.

Notorious Fishing Vessel

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: This fishing vessel was out, but kept its distance from the fishing boats. I think it is part of the research team for AK Department of Fish & Game.

Bubblenetting 101

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The whales produce clouds of mist from their spouts as they surface from their bubblenetting.
Every spring when the herring return to the Sitka Sound in Alaska to spawn, the Humpback whales return for a jubilee feeding frenzy. They use a cooperative technique called bubble netting, in which as a collective group, they dive and encircle the herring forcing them into a spiral shape and blowing bubbles which confuse the fish. As the spiral gets tighter, the herring are increasingly disoriented by the bubbles and are finally pushed upwards to the surface of the water. As the whales break the surface of the water with the herring, they lunge upwards or sideways with huge open mouths to swallow as many herring as they possibly can.

Feeding Frenzy

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: A pod of humpbacks surface from their cooperative engagement in bubblenetting.

From Whales

2 Whales Surface

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Two whales surface together and show off their bristly baleen. The baleen projections act as a sieve, allowing the excess water to drain from the whales' mouths, but keeping the herring in.

Battered Whale's Tail B&W

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: A whale diving deep shows off his tail fluke with jagged edges. What stories he must have! The water falling off his fluke shimmers like crystals. B&W

A Crystal Waterfall

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Crystal streams of water run off the tail fluke of this humpback whale.

Ragged Edges B&W

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Jagged edges of a whale's tail as he dives. B&W

Streams of Water

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: As the whale dives gracefully, the water runs off his tail like a waterfall.

From Whales

One Gets Away

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: If you look closely to the right of the largest whale, you can see a herring escaping his fate from the whales.

From Whales

Northern Song

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Another whale watching boat in front of Sitka's majestic mountains.

Open Wide!

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Look at the size of this whale's mouth! Huge!

From Whales

The Fish are Flying

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: In this image one can easily see the fish escaping the mouths of the whales.

From Whales

Different Tactics

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Each whale is unique in the way it feeds. Some rise straight up out of the water, mouths wide open and others will do a side lunge with an open mouth. I often wonder if there is an order as to what they do as members of the bubblenetting club - such as a hierarchy status, or is it strictly their preference?

Bubblenetting

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: As the bubblenetting comes to fruition, there is great energy and action as the whales rise to the surface while collecting the herring and spouting the excess air and water all at the same time.

Great Gusts of Spray

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Look at this massive amount of mist these whales exhale through their spouts!

From Whales

Environmental Image

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: An environmental photograph showing the bubblenetting in the cove in front of the stately mountains.

Big Spout Up Close

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The lead Humpback came up spouting as you can see in this image. Can't you just feel the spray and smell the water, the droplets glistening in the sun like tiny crystals, as you watch these huge animals lunge as they feed, breathing and spouting, making all their whale sounds?

From Whales

Beads of Water

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Beads of water fall like rain as this whale takes a deep dive.

A Lucrative Fishing Spree

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: An eagle grabs a herring from the water.

From Eagles

Lunch Time

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The eagles score a bit as well during the herring run.

From Eagles

Got it!

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The eagles and other birds take advantage of the herring forced to the surface and grab them quickly after the whales dive again.

From Eagles

Float Plane

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: A plane landed in the cove near us. I never found out what the purpose was.

Whose turn to fish?

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: A fishing boat prepares to lower its net as the whales feed close to the vessel. The whales will leave as soon as the boats begin their work.

From Whales

One Huge Sieve

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: One can see how the baleen act as a sieve, allowing the water to drain while keeping the fish in the mouth.

From Whales

Steaming Toward the Fishing Grounds

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: We have just heard on the radio that the fishing grounds will open shortly, and we are in the middle of the given coordinates. When they start dropping their nets, the whales will leave to search for new herring pods. B&W

Mass Confusion

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: It's mass confusion as the whales emerge from the depths of the water right next to our boat. They were so close I could have touched them. I had to back up as far as I could with my camera. No zoom needed here! B&W

From Whales

Close-up

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: A close up view of a whale surging out of the water. Just look at how his underbelly expands to accommodate all the water they take in while bubblenetting.

From Whales

Taking a Break

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Sea lions rest on a buoy in front of Mt. Edgecumbe.

What's He Complaining About?

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: A Sea lion vocalizes as he sits on a buoy in Sitka Sound.

A Harbour in Sitka

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Snow covered peaks are the backdrop for this harbor in Sitka, AK.

Sitka Mountains

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: There are multiple harbors surrounding the coastline of Sitka.

The O'Connell Bridge

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The O'Connell Bridge spans the space between Sitka and Japonski Island. The airport is on Japonski Island.

Snow-covered Peaks

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: I think it's easier to get on a boat than it is to call up a taxi in Sitka....hahaha! Not really - but almost true.

Snow-covered Peaks

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: The snow-capped mountains are dramatic on this lovely, sunny afternoon. Springtime often brings cold, rainy weather which is what we mostly experienced.

Snow-covered Peaks

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: I think there are probably more boats than cars in Sitka.

Snow-covered Peaks

Sitka, AK, United States - April 07, 2023: Boats are a way of life here with many people living on smaller islands surrounding Sitka.