Humpback Whales, Icy Strait, Alaska #3364

The Fairweather Mountains in Glacier Bay National Park create a perfect Alaska backdrop for a group of approximately nine humpback whales swimming along the surface after completing a bubble-net feeding off Point Adolphus in Icy Strait. Bubble-net feeding is a particular whale behavior only associated with humpbacks and mostly occurring only in Southeast Alaska waters. During this cooperative feeding behavior, humpbacks locate and then circle schools of small bait fish, like herring, while blowing bubbles. This net of bubbles corrals the fish into a tight group. At the same time the whales’ vocalization frightens the fish to flee toward the surface. With mouths wide open the whales swim up through this concentrated pile of fish and gulp them down. The gulls above are hoping to pick up the leftovers. This photo illustrates the month of August in my Alaska 2021 Calendar. Both the 2021 Juneau and Alaska Calendars can be ordered at markkelley.com or purchased locally at Hearthside Books, the Juneau Artist Gallery, Ben Franklin, Super Bear IGA and Foodland IGA. Thank you for visiting and be well -Camera: #Nikon #D850, Lens: # Nikkor 80-400mm, Digital Capture, Handheld ©Mark Kelley