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  • This is a head-on view of a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), an individual in the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. The whale’s interlocking jaw structure is clearly visible from this angle. Also visible are rake marks from orca attacks. This population is actively hunted by orcas. The whales enter shallow bays in order to seek shelter from orcas, as well as to socialize and rub against rocks for molting their skin in the summer months.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Pictured here are five bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) engaged in social activity in extremely shallow water during the summer. These whales are a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. There were well over 50 whales in proximity to one another on this day, perhaps closer to 100. Groups of whales came together and separated, sometimes in shallow areas like this, occasionally in deeper water.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is part of a large social gathering of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. The group of 17 whales is partially obscured by fog, which is common during the summer, as well as puffs of condensed exhalation by the whales. There were at least two other large groups of similar size in the immediate area, with many scattered singles and pairs. The group associations were dynamic, with continual inflow and outflow of individual whales. I estimate that there were well over 50 whales in proximity to one another on this day, perhaps closer to 100.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Four bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) swimming together. These individuals were part of a large social gathering of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. There is little known about this subpopulation, which was severely depleted by commercial whaling. Best estimates place the population size in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) resting at the surface in very shallow water. This individual is part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. Best estimates put the total size of this population in the low hundreds, most having being killed by commercial whalers. This individual is relatively dark, with not as much white on its body. The mottled discoloration of skin is indicative of epidermal molting, which these whales engage in during the summer months.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) relaxing at the surface in shallow water. It is a member of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, about which little is known. The population is thought to number in the low hundreds, but data is minimal. Note the rake marks from orcas visible on the front of the whale. Orcas in this area are known to target these whales.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This pair of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticeus) from the endangered Okhotsk Sea subpopulation clearly exhibit signs of epidermal molting. Bowhead whales engage in exfoliation during the northern hemisphere summer by rubbing against rocks in shallow water. Possible reasons why the whales do this include shedding of ectoparasites such as whale lice (cyamids) and diatoms, as well as the replacement of skin damaged by sun exposure. Relatively warm temperatures in shallow water during the summer months may also be conducive to stimulating epidermal growth by promoting greater cutaneous bloodflow and delivery of nutrients and hormones to facilitate replacement of skin.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A group of four bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) engaged in social activity in very shallow water. These whales are part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, which best estimates place in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • During summer months, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) like the one pictured here often visit shallow water, which provides a shelter from potential predation by orcas. As seen in this photograph, the whales can swim in water that is only just deep enough for them not to become stranded. This individual is a member of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A rainbow of color appearing in the exhalation of a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). This whale is part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, which is thought to number in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Aerial view of Wrangel Bay in Russia, one of the locations where bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation visit during the summer. The shallow waters of the bay provide a refuge from orcas. Visible in the background is Academy Bay, which itself comprises three separate bays (Nikolaya Bay, Ulban Bay, Konstantina Bay). Just in front of the point in the foreground are two bowhead whales swimming from left to right. Fog blankets the area frequently. Shown here, fog is in the process of rolling in from both sides to cover Wrangel Bay.
    aerial-view-academy-bay-okhotsk-sea-...tif
  • This bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. This individual was turned upside-down while performing loud percussive slaps on the ocean surface with the dorsal surface of its fluke. Orca rake marks are visible on the corners of the whale’s fluke. The whale was part of a large social gathering, comprising well over 50 whales. This whale’s tail slapping could be heard for a long distance. When this whale stopped, the gathering dissolved, with whales breaking moving away as singles and in smaller groups.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. This individual was turned upside-down while performing loud percussive slaps on the ocean surface with the dorsal surface of its fluke. Orca rake marks are visible on the corners of the whale’s fluke. The whale was part of a large social gathering, comprising well over 50 whales. This whale’s tail slapping could be heard for a long distance. When this whale stopped, the gathering dissolved, with whales breaking moving away as singles and in smaller groups.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Fog bow in the early morning, Sea of Okhotsk
    fogbow-panorama-201907-1900.tif
  • This is a Stichaeus grigorjewi, sometimes called a long shanny or northern blenny. It is a deepwater species that resides down to depths of around 300 meters in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk. Females come up to shallower water to lay eggs. This fish is edible, but the eggs contain a toxin called dinogunellin, which can cause vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms if ingested. There are no recorded cases of deaths from consumption of eggs. As pictured here, the fish repeatedly extended and retracted a long, twisted, multi-pronged tongue-like appendage reminiscent of the lure used by stargazers (Uranoscopidae) to attract prey.
    stichaeus-grigorjewi-long-shanny-nor...tif
  • This is a Stichaeus grigorjewi, sometimes called a long shanny or northern blenny. It is a deepwater species that resides down to depths of around 300 meters in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk. Females come up to shallower water to lay eggs. This fish is edible, but the eggs contain a toxin called dinogunellin, which can cause vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms if ingested. There are no recorded cases of deaths from consumption of eggs. As pictured here, the fish repeatedly extended and retracted a long, twisted, multi-pronged tongue-like appendage reminiscent of the lure used by stargazers (Uranoscopidae) to attract prey.
    stichaeus-grigorjewi-long-shanny-nor...tif
  • Japanese spotted deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) foraging for food during winter, along the edge of a slope overlooking the Okhotsk Sea. Photographed in Shiretoko National Park, Utoro, Hokkaido, Japan.
    japanese-spotted-deer-portrait-cervu...tif
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