Humpback Whales Surface Feeding

On a recent whale watching trip we had over (30) individual Humpback Whales who were all actively feeding at the surface. They were blowing series of bubbles from beneath the surface to scare and trap the fish and then they'd all surface at the same time with their mouths open. I'd seen this feeding technique multiple times before, but never quite to this scale. In one group we had 10 whales surface together. After a slow start to the season this trip was breath takingly exciting!

Here are some of the photos that I took.

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What incredible pics!


Squid

Thank you! I just realized that I had the wrong code in for that 5th picture. I just corrected it.

Amazing! Great shots!

Awesome, Mandy!! I always love your whale photos and these are quite spectacular!

We had the fortune of watching mating season in Maui last April.... 5 big humpback males 'bar fighting' in the water over a lone female. So much thrashing around and water flying in the air, it was not something to shoot but we sure enjoyed watching the behavior.

lovely images Mandy

wow the shot with the mouth breaching is impressive!!

Great shots, I remember you and I talking a while ago on here about whale watches from Cape Cod. I am actually headed to the Cape this Monday. Then Tuesday I should be out on a nice whale watch. From your images it looks like it will be an amazing trip this time of year!

WHich boat do you usually go out on?

Thanks everyone for your nice words. I went out again yesterday and got some of the best shots from this season! I'm hoping to have some more posted tonight as long as time allows. Keep your eyes open!

CW Jones - If things keep going the way that they have been going, you should get a great show! The whales have been very close to the Cape's shoreline so you won't have very far to travel at all. Over the past few weeks there have been at least 30-40 Humpbacks in the area, some days even more! The surface feeding has been hit or miss for me (since I usually only get to go on weekends), but in general there has been a LOT of it going on. Yesterday morning was amazing with tons of feeding activity. The afternoon was a bit slower, but there was still some feeding.

I actually go out on Capt Bill & Sons Whale Watch out of Gloucester, MA. They are closer to where I live and they are great people. They're very knowledgeable about whales and the area. I've had no reason to go looking elsewhere. Unfortunately, I've never been out on any of the Cape's boats so I can't recommend any of them, but you'll most certainly get a great trip in whoever you go out with.

Be sure that you bring a lot of memory for your trip. If you're anything like me you'll go snap happy when the whales are around. Yesterday morning I took 1036 photos alone! Please do post some pics or shoot me a PM with how you did. I LOVE hearing from others who go.

Great stuff. You did a masterful job on the lighting. Open water conditions can be a serious task. I was on the main cost late July in 09 and am now kicking myself for not looking into some of these trips. I know nothing is guaranteed but boy do pics like yours make me wish I had. Sometime we will go back.

Awesome sight it must have been. Well done.

Funny you say "nothing is guaranteed" because most of the ones that go out of Cape Cod do have a guarantee that if you see nothing you get to come back out the next day for free (usually a $60 value or so.) I think thats great that they do that, they are very confident of the areas they go to.

Great photos. What an amazing thing to see in person

res - Thanks, but I have to say that the whales often times help me get the perfect lighting. I try not to shoot into the glare and on trips like this where there are dozens of whales around it's easy to pick and choose which ones would get the best results.

bobobird and shoreliner, - Thanks! This is definitely one of nature's best displays in my opinion!

CW Jones, - In reality, it is impossible to guarantee anything. Whales are wild animals that move around in search of food. I've seen a large grouping of whales virtually disappear over night. Once the prey has been eaten, the whales have no choice but to move on. Most places that I've heard of do offer that guarantee, but I've never seen one limit it to just the following day. The company I go out with, Capt Bill and Sons offer rain checks good for any future date. I'd definitely be a little cautious of those places that limit it like that.

Beautiful pics!! I will not be in that area till mid-September, are they usually gone by then??