2010 08-30 SB Channel

Surface feeding by Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), some Blue Whales, and lots of interesting California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). A bright and sunny day on the feeding grounds!

A Humpback Whale shows the whalers on board the Condor Express its pectoral fin.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2010 Channel 030
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) poses for the photographers on board the Condor Express.
Zalophus californianus head lateral 2010 Channel 143
A Humpback Whale throws its tail around making a big comotion.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Channel 315
A Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) keeps its eye on the camera as it zooms by.
Delphinus capensis 2010 Channel 016
Close up look at the belly with its grooves and the left pectoral fin of a Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae pectoral fin 2010 Channel 232
Two Humpback Whales, one still underwater, take a close look at the whalers on board the Condor Express.
Megaptera novaeangliae passengers 2010 Channel 014
The very tall spout from a giant Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Balaenoptera musculus spout 2010 Channel 181
Humpback Whale tail fluke waterfall.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Channel 132
Uno, dos, tres. California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) on the move.
Zalophus californianus leap 2010 Channel 115
The numerous baleen plates along the left side of the upper jaw are seen as this Humpback Whale feeds on krill (Thysanoessa spinifera) on the surface. The beast is on its side, head on the right.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding baleen 2010 Channel 072
California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus 2010 Channel 015
A Humpback Whale tail gets ready to slam against the water.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2010 Channel 003
A very close look at the mouth of a Humpback Whale with its baleen. If you look closely inside the mouth you will see the foaming wave of krill-laden water that has come from the posterior gular pouch and the forward momentum of the beast which has started to close its mouth and collapse the pouch.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding baleen 2010 Channel 073
Humpback Whale surface feeding.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding baleen 2010 Channel 090
More high speed California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus leap 2010 Channel 119
A look at the top of the head of this surface feeding Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 044
California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus FOUR 2010 Channel 199
The pink, hard palate inside the upper mouth and abundant baleen is shown as this Humpback Whale lunges on the surface to capture krill.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding mouth open baleen 2010 Channel 086
California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus four 2010 Channel 202
A Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus).
Grampus griseus 2010 Channel 035
A close look at the left flanks and dorsal fin of a young Humpback Whale. Note the two species of barnacles, one flat or sessile, the other long and stalked, attached to the tip of the fin.
Megaptera novaeangliae dorsal fin CLOSE 2010 Channel 050
Six California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus six 2010 Channel 218
A close look at the twin blowholes and their splash guard on the head of a Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae blowholes CLOSE 2010 Channel 053
More dramatic lobtailing by a Humpback Whale.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2010 Channel 289
A Humpback Whale feeds on the surface.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 039
Humpback Whale lobtailing.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail throw 2010 Channel 288
A very close look at the left side of a Humpback Whale's mouth and head as water is ejected during the terminal stages of surface feeding.
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 033
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 08-30 SB Channel - 043
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 043
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 08-30 SB Channel - 074
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding 2010 Channel 074
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding mouth open baleen 2010 08-30 SB Channel - 087
Megaptera novaeangliae lunge feeding mouth open baleen 2010 Channel 087
Humpback Whale tail flukes.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail fluke waterfall 2010 Channel 305
Three California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) take off out of the water during a high speed run.
Zalophus californianus leap 2010 Channel 117
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus 2010 Channel 148
Humpback Whale tail flukes.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail flukes 2010 Channel 110
A big tail throw by a mighty Humpback Whale sends spray in all directions.
Megaptera novaeangliae tail slap 2010 Channel 313
A trio of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) are shown on patrol around the perimeter of a dense concentration of krill. Sea Lions don't eat much krill, but the krill attracts squid and small fish which the sea lions feed on.
Zalophus californianus patrols krill patch Thysanoessa spinifera 2010 Channel 005
Leaping California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus leap 2010 Channel 125
The pack of six - California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus).
Zalophus californianus SIX 2010 Channel 214

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2010 08-30 SB Channel