Humpbacks feeding in Alaska

As part of a two week trip to Alaska, my wife and I went on a small wildlife photo excursion in Juneau. We have been whale watching about a dozen times in Maine, Boston, Alaska and Hawaii, but this is the first time we were fortunate enough to witness humpbacks bubble feeding. At one point, the whales came up so close to the boat that my 100-400L wasn't wide enough to get all the action!

wow great shots

Really nice shots! I live near some great whale watching locations, but I am too scared to take my gear out into a zodiac to get the shots I want. Do you have any suggestions, or should I just suck it up?

Great shots. Been there, seen that, would go back in a heartbeat.

Thanks, everyone. We were really excited to finally see them bubble feeding.

JGunn wrote in post #17062607
Really nice shots! I live near some great whale watching locations, but I am too scared to take my gear out into a zodiac to get the shots I want. Do you have any suggestions, or should I just suck it up?

I have not done any whale watching on a zodiac, but this was a smaller boat (14 passengers, plus the pilot and pro photographer/naturalis​t). Other times, we have been on catamarans in Hawaii and larger boats in Maine and Boston. Personally, I prefer the smaller boats, as you do not have as many other people to contend with, fighting for space to get their shots with camera phones, iPads, etc.

I've never had a problem bringing my gear on board. Just take normal precautions -- make sure your gear is secured so you do not drop it overboard, and if you are concerned about salt water spray, use some rain sleeves and wipe the equipment down after the excursion. I have never needed rain sleeves unless it is actually raining, though. Also, I found a monopod very useful this time. Finally, instead of trying to change lenses while on board, I would recommend bringing two cameras with different lenses mounted, if possible.

What an awesome set. That first image could be posted in the bird forum!

amazing photos. I ama dying to get in front of these whales in a small boat.
thanks for sharing

These are wonderful. We have been over to Monterey Bay 3 times to watch them lunge feeding on zillions of anchovies that hatched about a month ago. Unfortunately, I have been on such rocky boats I cannot take pictures and hang on to keep from falling at the same time so I had to put the camera down & just enjoy the show. "Bout killed me not to take any photos.

I did similar whale watching in AK but nothing compared to what you saw or captured. Truly amazing.

WOW amazing captures !!

Excellent!

That is so awesome. Alaska is on the bucket list. Good stuff!

Wow amazing shots. Brilliant. I go whale watching in South Africa but have never got shots like these. There is so much detail in them. I want to go there now. Will have to put it on my to do list.

Brilliant work.

Beautiful shots!