2010 08-13 SB Channel

Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis), and Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) on a windy day with bright sun off the northwest corner of Santa Rosa Island. Don't forget to click on the "Map This" button above and to the right. Thanks!

Image 1 of 2: Humpback Whale surface lunge feeding. the upper jaw full of baleen is on the left, the lower jaw with greatly expanded gullar pouch is on the right. The little orange dots are krill (Thysanoessa spinifera).
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding CLOSE 2010 Channel 001
Image 2 of 2: Humpback Whale surface lunge feeding. The mouth closes up, ejects water, and retains the krill as food.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding CLOSE 2010 Channel 002
The second largest whale species on earth, and second largest animal to ever live on the planet - a Fin Whale.
Balaenoptera physalus 2010 Channel 011
Common Dolphins, including one mating pair. Wide view.
Delphinus capensis mating 2010 Channel 004
1 of 3: Common Dolphins, including one mating pair. Ultra wide view.
Delphinus capensis mating WIDE 2010 Channel 005
2 of 3: Common Dolphins, including one mating pair. Wide view.
Delphinus capensis mating CLOSE 2010 Channel 005
3 of 3: Common Dolphins, including one mating pair. Close up view.
Delphinus capensis mating CLOSE 2010 Channel 005
Two giant Blue Whales, one spouting, and one lunge feeding on the surface.
Balaenoptera musculus TWO spout lunge 2010 Channel 001
Phocoenoides dalli 2010 08-13 SB Channel - 014
Phocoenoides dalli 2010 Channel 014
A Blue Whale spouts and sends a flock of Red-Necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) flying. The birds are feeding on the same target prey as the whale: krill.
Balaenoptera musculus Phalaropus lobatus 2010 Channel 057
A red patch of krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) and tiny predators, Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus).
Phalaropus lobatus feeding krill Thysanoessa spinifera 2010 Channel 014
The whole body, looking from tail towards the head and blowhole, of a Blue Whale.
Balaenoptera musculus entire body 2010 Channel 053
Stage one, a Humpback Whale expels air and heads for the nearest krill patch (to the right).
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge one 2010 Channel 009
Another Blue Whale feeding.
Balaenoptera musculus lunge feed 2010 Channel 038
Image 1 of 2: Humpback Whale feeding on the surface.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge two 2010 Channel 010
Image 2 of 2: Humpback Whale feeding on the surface.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge three 2010 Channel 011
A giant Blue Whale spouting on a windy sea.
Balaenoptera musculus wide 2010 Channel 055
Close up look at a Blue Whale's head, left side.
Balaenoptera musculus head lateral CLOSE 2010 Channel 003
Lots of underwater Common Dolphins.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 016
Here's a Blue Whale coming directly at the camera.
Balaenoptera musculus head 2010 Channel 001
More sub-surface Common Dolphins.
Delphinus capensis six 2010 Channel 008
A massive surface lunge by a Blue Whale...again the Phalaropes are sent flying.
Balaenoptera musculus lunge Phalaropus lobatus 2010 Channel 033
Another surface lunge by a hungry Blue Whale.
Balaenoptera musculus lunge Phalaropus lobatus 2010 Channel 034
Common Dolphins.
Delphinus capensis three 2010 Channel 009
More Blue Whale surface feeding.
Balaenoptera musculus lunge Phalaropus lobatus 2010 Channel 063
A surface lunge feeding Blue Whale, looking directly into the lower mouth area.
Balaenoptera musculus lunge feed 2010 Channel 039
Nice look at a Blue Whale spouting.
Balaenoptera musculus spout 2010 Channel 048
Double giants. Blue Whales on a windy sea.
Balaenoptera musculus TWO Sta Rosa Island 2010 Channel 066
Twin giants, Blue Whales side-by-side.
Balaenoptera musculus two 2010 Channel 011
Dual spouts from two giant Blue's.
Balaenoptera musculus TWO SPOUTS 2010 Channel 020
A Fin Whale heads toward the Condor Express.
Balaenoptera physalus 2010 Channel 001
The "fin" of a Fin Whale.
Balaenoptera physalus 2010 Channel 008
A whole batch of Common Dolphins.
Delphinus capensis five 2010 Channel 030
Close up look at a Common Dolphin feeding upside down on the surface.
Delphinus capensis upside feeding 2010 Channel 001
Two for one shot: A Blue Whale spouts on the left, as a Humpback Whale lunge-feeds on the right.
Megaptera novaeangliae Balaenoptera musculus 2010 Channel 003
The expanded belly pleats of a lunge feeding Humpback.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 007
Ventral pleats of a hungry Humpback.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding CLOSE 2010 Channel 003
A Blue Whale and a Dall's Porpoise.
Phocoenoides dalli Balaenoptera musculus 2010 Channel 051
Harris Point and, in back, Castle Rock, San Miguel Island.
Northwestern 2010 San Miguel Island

© Robert Perry

Mr.Zalophus@gmail.com Please click on the sea lion head logo above to go to my MarineBioPhotography website.

2010 08-13 SB Channel