
Feeding Frenzy

by Maryanne Keeling
Title
Feeding Frenzy
Artist
Maryanne Keeling
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Prints, Canvas, And Metal, Photography And Prints From Original Paintings
Description
In Icy Strait Point, Alaska, humpback whales engage in a fascinating and coordinated behavior known as bubble net feeding. This unique feeding technique involves a group of whales working together to encircle a school of fish, such as herring, with a wall of bubbles. One or more whales swim in a spiral pattern below the fish, releasing a stream of bubbles that forms a net-like barrier, trapping the fish in a tight ball. As the fish become disoriented and confined, the whales then swim upwards through the concentrated mass, mouths wide open, gulping large quantities of fish and water. The breathtaking sight is often accompanied by the sound of the whales' vocalizations, which serve to coordinate their movements. This behavior showcases the intelligence and complex social structures of humpback whales and is a spectacular event that draws visitors and marine biologists alike to the waters of Icy Strait Point.
Uploaded
September 1st, 2024
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Comments (5)

Joseph Schofield
Congratulations Maryanne! I have selected this amazing work to be a "Special Feature" on the homepage of Pacific Northwest Plus. Please archive it in the "special feature" discussion (NOT the daily feature thread)

Linda Brittain
Wonderful capture, Maryanne! I've heard of this bubble net feeding but never got to see it live when I was in Alaska! Amazing coordination of the whales!