Humpback

In the late winter and early spring, large schools of herring fry congregate in the sheltered waters of the Auke Bay harbor in Juneau, Alaska. Predators large a...
Read more

In the late winter and early spring, large schools of herring fry congregate in the sheltered waters of the Auke Bay harbor in Juneau, Alaska. Predators large and small are sure to follow. When these small bait fish are in the harbor, it is not uncommon to see sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, seabirds, and even the occasional humpack whale. This humpback has been frequenting the harbor. Here it is lunge feeding, swimming upward with its mouth open to fill its mouth with food and water. As it approaches the surface, the water begins to churn and the fish attempt to swim away. You can see escaping herring in the water near the humpback's head. I was less than ten feet from the whale when he rose from the water.
Read less