The Power of a Humpback Whale's Tail

Yesterday was a phenomenal day out on the water. There were well over 20 Humpback Whales in the area actively feeding at the surface. Many of them were using a technique known as kick feeding. This is where the Humpback Whale will raise it's tail up out of the water and then slam it back down onto the surface. Scientists believe that by doing this, the Humpbacks are stunning the fish to make them easier to catch when the come up the surface with their mouths wide open. It's really quite the sight and I always feel so humbled and privelaged whenever I get a chance to witness it first hand. Here are some of my favorite photos of this kick feeding behavior.

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another great set Mandy

Beautiful. I have to get out whale watching sometime soon. I went once in the Bay of Fundy and we got fogged out, so could only see ~50 feet from the zodiac I was in.

All are very nice work. The second to the last is fantastic but I also really like the last one. Great work getting that splash stopped and not blowing it out.

Stunning! I am loving whales more and more!


Squid

Wonderful! Although the title had me hoping to see something like a fishing boat effortlessly flipped into the air on account of the power of the whale's tail! Seriously, very nice whale tail shots!

Oh, I miss whale watches! Amazing as always, Mandy! Are you still going out with Captain Bill's?

Thanks for kind words everyone! Nothing makes me happier than coming home with a memory card full of whale photos to look over!

kmunroe, - Thank you!

Wallace, - I've been on many trips like that myself. Fog and whale watching do not mix, but there's nothing you can do about it other than to keep going until you get that special trip in! I see you're in Nova Scotia. Are you familiar with Brier Island Whale Watch? They're having a phenomenal season with a lot of fantastic whales according to their Facebook postings. You might want to check it out when/if you have the time.

res, - Thanks, I was very pleased with how these photos came out too. Sometimes I nail them, but other times I don't. I'm still learning.

Squid, - There's absolutley nothing wrong with loving whales! In fact, I wish more people loved them! They need our protection now more than ever!

David, - Sorry to disappoint you! I don't know if you've ever gone whale watching before to see these animals, but if you saw how BIG they are first hand you'd really appreciate the sheer power it must take for them to life their tails they way they do. They are amazing!

Becca, yes I do still go with Capt Bill's. They are the best group of people! I not only go to watch those amazing whales, but to hang out with those great people! Didn't you live in NH? When did you move to AZ? I'd be lost now without my whales!

Terrific shots, Mandy. You captured their behavior quite well with some of the shots. We've been whale watching 10 times now, between Hawaii, Alaska and Maine, and never get tired of seeing these amazing animals.

That's some great shots at sea.
It looks like you're very close to the whale on some photos? ( Thanks to the captn for that !! )

Scott, - Alaska is high on my "want to visit" places. The one thing that I find interesting in the Pacific vs Altantic Humpbacks is that their pectoral flippers are colored differently. For the most part, the Pacific population has mostly black while the Atlantic population has mostly white. I believe they have different feeding techniques as well. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing them either!

Zigot, - Photos 1 through 6 were RIGHT next to us. This was a juvenile whale born in 2008 who was "practicing" it's kick feeding technique. The others were a little off in the distance which I zoomed in on.

Zipline wrote in post #12904848
Scott, - Alaska is high on my "want to visit" places. The one thing that I find interesting in the Pacific vs Altantic Humpbacks is that their pectoral flippers are colored differently. For the most part, the Pacific population has mostly black while the Atlantic population has mostly white. I believe they have different feeding techniques as well. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing them either!

I would highly recommend Hawaii, too. While the whales do not feed there, you will witness some amazing mating rituals, which make the whales very active. We witnessed many breaches on our last visit. The catamarans used for the excursions seem more intimate than the larger boats used for many of the Atlantic excursions, as well. Plus, you cannot beat the weather. Our most memorable excursions have been in the Hawaiian Islands.

Great set of pictures!

Zipline wrote in post #12900484
Becca, yes I do still go with Capt Bill's. They are the best group of people! I not only go to watch those amazing whales, but to hang out with those great people! Didn't you live in NH? When did you move to AZ? I'd be lost now without my whales!

I've been in Arizona for almost 2 years. I love it out here, but I do miss the ocean, especially whale watches. I went on my last one just a few weeks before I left. I especially enjoyed talking to Mason.

Realy like your shots. They are great