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  • This is a Balaenoptera edeni whale in the Gulf of Thailand foraging for fish by side-lunging. Side-lunging started to become prevalent in 2017 and seems to have continued through 2018. The previous feeding behaviour of remaining stationary at the surface with open mouths has not been seen since 2016. As pictured here, terns of several species frequently gather to take advantage of the fish that foraging whales bring to the surface. This population is limited in size, several dozen individuals. It is quite likely that there is no mixing between this population and other B. edeni whales outside the Gulf of Thailand.
    edens-whale-foraging-gulf-thailand-w...tif
  • This is an Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand herding a mass of fish, likely a species of Sardinella. While swimming in a large circle to aggregate the fish, this whale slapped the surface several times as it moved along, perhaps to concentrate the fish. This tail-slapping behavior took place most often toward the end of the herding process, with a series of slaps often followed by a sudden turn toward the inside of the circle with mouth wide open in order to side-lunge through the panicked fish. This circle and side-lunge technique has become the dominant foraging technique since 2017, replacing the open-mouth trap feeding strategy that had been prevalent since the 1990s. I believe this reflects a change of target prey. The whales adapt their foraging strategies to target species.
    balaenoptera-edeni-foraging-strategy...tif
  • Male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Maesa (which means April) engaging in a feeding technique suited for the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. After finding a suitable quantity of prey, the whale opens his mouth at the surface while stirring up the shallow water and sediment with his fluke. This causes small fish (anchovies in this case) to panic, with many inadvertently jumping into his mouth. Sometimes whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida) make use of this foraging behavior to grab an easy meal, as seen here. Maesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population.
    edens-whale-foraging-anchovies-gulf-...tif
  • Large aggregation of walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) socializing late at night and foraging for food. This chaotic and noisy group activity continued for many hours, with several dozen individuals involved. The large group sometimes broke up into two or three smaller groups.
    walrus-social-group-foraging-svalbar...tif
  • A group of humpback whales engaged in social foraging by herding herring and other fish with bubble nets. The lead whale bursts straight out of the water, while the other whales lunge alongside with their mouths wide open.
    humpback-whales-social-foraging-chat...tif
  • This is a north Atlantic humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae novaeangliae) pursuing a large school of herring in the cold, dark water of Arctic winter. The humpback whale swallowed several mouthfuls of fish during this foraging period.
    humpback-whale-pursuing-herring-norw...tif
  • Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) feeding on the remains of a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), with a seagull waiting for its turn. Multiple bears visited this carcass over many days.This bear was wearing a large radio tracking collar, not visible from this angle.
    polar-bear-foraging-beluga-whale-car...tif
  • A group of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) swimming rapidly while foraging for food in shallow water late at night, with one raising its head high to take a look around
    walrus-spyhop-while-foraging-svalbar...tif
  • This is a young Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand side-lunging through a mass of fish, likely Sardinella sp., that this whale and its mother had aggregated by swimming in a large circle. This circle and side-lunge technique has become the dominant foraging technique since 2017, replacing the open-mouth trap feeding strategy that had been prevalent since the 1990s. I believe this reflects a change of target prey. The whales adapt their foraging strategies to target species.
    balaenoptera-edeni-side-lunge-feedin...tif
  • This is a young Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand side-lunging through a mass of fish, likely Sardinella sp., that this whale and its mother had aggregated by swimming in a large circle. This circle and side-lunge technique has become the dominant foraging technique since 2017, replacing the open-mouth trap feeding strategy that had been prevalent since the 1990s. I believe this reflects a change of target prey. The whales adapt their foraging strategies to target species.
    balaenoptera-edeni-side-lunge-feedin...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the ocean surface with her mouth open. This whale has just surfaced from foraging in deep water. There is a small piece of squid on the tip of her lower jaw. She has many visible scars left by the suckers of Architeuthis sp. giant squid, which seem to be among the primary prey hunted by sperm whales in the waters of Ogasawara (the Bonin Islands) in Japan.
    sperm-whale-mouth-open-ogasawara-jap...tif
  • This North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) was part of a group of whales that engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding for several days. One morning, this whale breached multiple times, prompting the other whales in the group to breach and pectoral slap for an extended period of time, as they ended their social foraging behavior and the whales went their separate ways. The weather was unusually clear, providing a view of the Fairweather Range of mountains in the background.
    humpback-whale-breaching-fairweather...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) emerging from the water in perfect formation while engaged in social foraging, often referred to as bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • This sperm whale has just come up to breathe, after foraging for prey in deep water. There is a small piece of squid visible, attached to the whale's top left jaw. It is very likely a piece of Architeuthis giant squid, which seem to be relatively common in the deep waters adjacent to the Ogasawara island chain of Japan. There are also scars made by suction cups of squid feeding tentacles visible on the forehead of the whale. Those suction cups are lined with finely serrated rings of teeth made of chitin.
    sperm-whale-physeter-macrocephalus-a...tif
  • This is a giant pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) foraging for food. The animal has enveloped rocks in order to search holes and crevices for prey.
    enteroctopus-dofleini-pacific-giant-...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching during a break from bubble net feeding. This whale was one of six that were engaged in social foraging.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2016...tif
  • My friend Daya holding a small squid arm that I recovered from a group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that had been foraging for food. The pieces of squid brought up by sperm whales in this area all seem to indicate relatively small prey.
    small-squid-arm-recovered-from-sperm...tif
  • A dense group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were part of a massive social gathering of hundreds of individuals. As shown here, sperm whales seem to defecate frequently when they are at the surface, especially during intense social activity. The whales' defecation and other bodily excretions imparted an oily consistency to the seawater, as can be seen here, backlit by the low light of the late-afternoon sun. Besides socializing in this manner, the large gathering of sperm whales were also foraging for food in between bouts of surface activity.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • A group of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in cooperative foraging behavior commonly referred to as bubble net feeding. The whales find and encircle schools of fish, blowing bubbles as they do so to create a net around the fish and drive them to the surface. The whales then surround the fish and charge up in unison through their prey with mouths wide open. By working together, the whales are able to herd large schools of fish that would be more challenging for a single whale to capture. Photograph taken in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feedin-ch...tif
  • This North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) was part of a group of whales that engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding for several days. One morning, this whale breached multiple times, prompting the other whales in the group to breach and pectoral slap for an extended period of time, as they ended their social foraging behavior and the whales went their separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...tif
  • This North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) was part of a group of whales that engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding for several days. One morning, this whale breached multiple times, prompting the other whales in the group to breach and pectoral slap for an extended period of time, as they ended their social foraging behavior and the whales went their separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the ocean surface with her mouth open. This whale has just surfaced from foraging in deep water. There is a small piece of squid on the tip of her lower jaw. She has many visible scars left by the suckers of Architeuthis sp. giant squid, which seem to be among the primary prey hunted by sperm whales in the waters of Ogasawara (the Bonin Islands) in Japan. Note the cluster of sucker scars at the base of the whale's lower jaw. Also, it is possible to see inside the roof of the whale's mouth. This angle shows clearly that the whale has no teeth in the upper jaw, only the lower jaw.
    sperm-whale-physeter-macrocephalus-o...tif
  • Part of an enormous social gathering comprising hundreds of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) over many square kilometers. This group comprised dozens of individuals that were busy clicking, blowing bubbles, rubbing their bodies against one another, diving to forage for food, and defecating continuously.
    sperm-whale-social-group-physeter-ma...tif
  • Shown here is a colony of corrugated coral (Pavona varians) engaged in broadcast spawning. This colony comprised female corals. Several species of fish foraged on the gametes, including this oriental butterflyfish (Chaetodon auripes), shown here ingesting streams of eggs. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    pavona-varians-coral-spawning-chaeto...tif
  • This is a Cavolinia uncinata, a species of small pelagic mollusk that is found around the world. Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of individuals or more appeared for several days in southern Japan, drifting with currents. As pictured here, the snails use nets of mucus to forage for food.
    cavolinia-uncinata-sea-butterfly-jap...tif
  • A large group of humpback whales breathing together in between periods of cooperative hunting with bubble nets to herd schools of fish together. The whales typically rest like this after each successful hunt.
    humpback-whales-breathing-resting-bu...tif
  • Shown here are threadfin wrasses (Cirrhilabrus temminckii) consuming gametes of a male black sea cucumber (Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota) engaged in broadcast spawning. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    cirrhilabrus-temminckii-wrasse-consu...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 7 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Common terns (Sterna hirundo) flying alongside Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand/ The terns follow whales in order to catch fish that the whales bring to the ocean surface.
    sterna-hirundo-following-balaenopter...tif
  • This was part of a large gathering of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands of individual whales that spanned horizon to horizon for nearly three days. This was likely a meeting of multiple social units in the same clan. Pictured here is one particularly large social cluster.  This image is licensed on an exclusive basis to BBC through 29 October 2021.
    sperm-whale-large-aggregation-201402...tif
  • A lone Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) holding its mouth open to feed on anchovies in the Gulf of Thailand, with birds swooping in to grab fish jumping out of the water.
    lone-eden-whale-mouth-open-feeding-2...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 6 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 2 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) executing a tail slap during a sunny day in Alaska. This whale was part of a group engaged in bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whale-tail-slap-alaska-2012...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding, two with their mouths wide open. The low light of a summer evening in Alaska provides dramatic backlighting for this scene.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Large adult male killer whale (Orcinus orca) stalking a large school of herring in shallow water.
    orca-hunting-herring-norway-201601-0...tif
  • A large aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. Note the abundance of sloughed off skin in the water, resulting from tactile contact among the whales. Peeling skin is apparent on the individuals in the center of this image. Note also the cloud of defecation. These whales had just emerged from milling around in a gigantic cluster, with many of the whales defecating to such an extent that the water was opaque. This photograph was the winner of the Behaviour: Mammals category of the 53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in 2017 (#WPY53) organized by the Natural History Museum in London.
    superpod-aggregation-sperm-whales-de...tif
  • Close-up of a few of the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) comprising a group of whales engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding. Photographed in Chatham Strait, near Juneau, Alaska,
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-c...tif
  • Shown here are oriental butterflyfishes (Chaetodon auripes) descending upon a small colony of Merulinidae coral to consume gametes being emitted by the corals. Though the spawning was too sparse for me to see, two dozen or more butterflyfishes fed at this coral colony for over ten minutes. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    chaetodon-auripes-butterflyfish-eati...tif
  • This is a thornback cowfish (Lactoria fornasini) eating freshly spawned hound needlefish (Tylosurus crocodilus) eggs. The eggs were draped on top of Pavona decussata leaf corals, providing easy access for opportunistic grazers like this fish, which normally preys upon benthic animals. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    tylosurus-crocodilus-eggs-consumed-b...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) engaged in bubble-net feeding, highlighted by the warm light of a late summer evening
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding to capture herring, with sea gulls taking advantage of the whales’ hard work. The whale with its mouth facing toward the camera is the lead individual.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • This is a North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) breaching at 9:30PM in Alaska. Warm light from the final minutes of sunlight for the day illuminated the whale and ocean spray in a rainbow of color, reflected in the calm evening water.
    humpback-whale-breaching-at-night-al...tif
  • This is a North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) breaching at 9:30PM in Alaska. Warm light from the final minutes of sunlight for the day illuminated the whale and ocean spray in a rainbow of color, reflected in the calm evening water.
    humpback-whale-breaching-at-night-al...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) bubble net feeding in the warm light of late evening during summer in Alaska. The baleen in the mouth of the lead whale is clearly visible from this angle.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • GPS track showing the circular feeding pattern of an Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) revolving around an area in which the whale has found a concentration of anchovies.
    edens-whale-feeding-gps-track-gulf-t...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska, in front of a dinghy with tourists enjoying the show.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Adult female Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) feeding on anchovies with her calf. These whales are part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. This adult is known as Mae Gunya. Her calf is Jao Khamsamut.
    eden-whale-brydes-feeding-anchovies-...tif
  • Adult female Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) feeding on anchovies with her calf. These whales are part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. This adult is known as Mae Gunya. Her calf is Jao Khamsamut.
    eden-brydes-whale-mother-and-calf-fe...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 5 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 4 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 3 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Humpback whale calf breaching in Alaska. This calf’s mother was part of a large group of whales engaged in bubble net feeding. The calf was left to play while its mother fed. The adult female broke from the group from time to time to spend time with the calf, perhaps to nurse the young whale.
    breaching-humpback-whale-calf-alaska...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding, snow-capped mountains in the background.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that had an unusual dorsal fin, one that was split into three sections. It was not possible to determine whether this split dorsal was present from birth, or whether it was the result of an accident such as a propellor strike. This whale was one of eight or nine that engaged in bubble net feeding together during an overcast day.
    unusual-dorsal-fin-humpback-whale-al...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding in the warm light of a sunny summer evening in Alaska
    hunpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Clear view of baleen in the mouth of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding in Alaska. Also visible on the lower jaw of another whale are Coronula diadema hard acorn barnacles and Conchoderma auritum gooseneck barnacles.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Condensation from the breath of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), backlit by evening sunlight during the Alaskan summer. This whale was one of a group of six engaged in bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whale-breath-condensation-a...tif
  • Indo-pacific common dolphins (Delphinus delphis tropicalis) implementing a coordinated attack on a ball of baitfish. The dolphin in the middle is flipping into the water to grab a fish that it's seen.
    indo-pacific-common-dolphins-hunting...tif
  • Indo-Pacific Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis tropicalis) leaping clear of the water while attacking a baitball of sardines.
    indo-pacific-common-dolphin-south-af...tif
  • Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) defecating while engaged in a massive social gathering comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individuals. Defecation like this is common in sperm whale social gatherings, as is shedding of skin as seen here.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • Large cluster of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were part of an enormous superpod gathering comprising hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. As is typical of sperm whale social activity, there was a lot of tactile contact accompanied by biosonar clicking, with sloughing of skin, defecation, passing of gas. The water was milky white and oily from the activity.
    sperm-whale-superpod-physeter-macroc...tif
  • Aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands, gathered in all directions as far as the eye could see. Most were adult females, though there were some large males present, as well as juveniles. The whales fed intermittently, but also spent substantial time at the surface and in shallow water socializing.
    large-aggregation-sperm-whales-socia...tif
  • Passengers aboard a recreational fishing boat enjoying the show put on by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-c...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska on a sunny day with lush greenery in the background.
    bubble-net-feeding-humpback-whales-a...tif
  • The rostrum of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) emerging from the water. This whale was part of a group of humpback whales engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding. Viewing this image at 100%, you can see the tubercles (including single follicles of hair protruding from some of them), an injury to one of the tubercles, and a few whale lice (Cyamus boopis) at the tip of the lower jaw. Note also the barnacles under the jaw, which are humpback whale barnacles (Coronula diadema), that grow only on humpback whales. In addition, growing on the humpback whale barnacles are a type of gooseneck barnacle (Conchoderma auritum), that appear only on humpback whale barnacles.
    humpback-whale-rostrum-tubercles-par...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-cooperative-bubble-n...tif
  • Group of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) emerging from the water while engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding. The whale with its mouth open in the middle of the photograph is the leader/ coordinator, always appearing in the middle of the group. Photographed in Chatham Strait, near Juneau, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-j...tif
  • I watched this adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) come up from deep water in the Ogasawara islands of Japan, carrying several fragments of Architeuthis giant squid in her mouth. A juvenile sperm whale that was part of her family group joined the adult as she surfaced, and the two swam together. The adult spit out or dropped one piece of giant squid, as shown in this photograph. When I retrieved the giant squid fragment, it was ice cold.
    sperm-whale-with-architeuthis-giant-...tif
  • A group of humpback whales surfacing near a small boat near the shore of Chatham Strait in Alaska, with the condensation of their breaths backlit by the afternoon sun.
    humpback-whales-near-small-boat-chat...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Chatham Strait, Alaska emerging from the water with their mouths wide open to feed on schools of fish. There are fish, probably herring, visible in the photo. From this angle, there is a clear view of the baleen hanging down from the top of the humpback whales' mouths.
    feeding-humpback-whales-mouths-open-...tif
  • This is a Cavolinia uncinata, a species of small pelagic mollusk that is found around the world. Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of individuals or more appeared for several days in southern Japan, drifting with currents. As pictured here, the snails use nets of mucus to capture food.
    cavolinia-uncinata-sea-butterfly-jap...tif
  • This small fish, likely a species of sardine, jumped aboard our boat when Eden’s whales were engaged in lunge feeding in the Gulf of Thailand. I believe it likely that the lunge feeding technique is suited to hunting this type of fish, perhaps due to density of aggregations and/ or behavioral characteristics. The whales appear to herd fish into ever greater concentrations before lunging through the aggregated fish. The same whales do not seem to do this with the anchovy species in the Gulf. This suggests that the whales apply different strategies for different prey.
    sardinella-prey-for-balaenoptera-ede...tif
  • North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) fluke in the warm light of a late summer evening in Alaska
    humpback-whale-fluke-late-evening-al...tif
  • This is an adult female Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) named Mae Gunya and her calf Jao Khamsamut feeding on anchovies in the shallow waters of the upper Gulf of Thailand. Around them are whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida) flying in to grab fish brought up by the whales.
    edens-whale-mother-calf-feeding-anch...tif
  • A lone Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) feeding on small fish in the Gulf of Thailand, with whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida) flying in to grab an easy meal.
    edens-whale-feeding-gulf-thailand-20...tif
  • A pair of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving in between group bubble net feeding, with a charter vessel visible between the flukes. Visible on the corners of the fluke of the whale on the left are Coronula diadema barnacles, which only grow on humpback whales. Hanging off those hard barnacles are Conchoderma auritum, a gooseneck barnacle that only appears on Coronula diadema barnacles.
    humpback-whale-flukes-alaska-201607-...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding near a tourist vessel in Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble net feeding in the warm light of late evening during summer in Alaska. The baleen in the mouth of the lead whale is clearly visible from this angle.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Female Indo-pacific common dolphin (Delphinus delphis tropicalis) plunging back into the water to grab fish. This dolphin was part of a group systematically attacking a ball of bait fish.
    indo-pacific-common-dolphin-hunting-...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) rising up out of the water after creating a bubble-net to herd and catch herring in a cooperative manner. Photographed in Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 1 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding during the summer in Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Shown here ia a threadfin wrasse (Cirrhilabrus temminckii) consuming gametes of a male black sea cucumber (Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota). Other wrasses, as well as Chaetodon auripes and Pomacentrus nagasakiensis, took advantage of the echinoderm's broadcast spawning to dine on gametes as well. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    cirrhilabrus-temminckii-wrasse-consu...tif
  • The is an adult female Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) engaged in lunge-feeding behavior with her calf. The mother is on the left side of the image. The pair swam in a large circle to herd fish (likely Sardinella sp.), slapping the ocean surface once in a while presumably to drive the fish forward. When there are are enough fish swimming inside the arc created by the whales, they execute a quick turn so that their mouths open directly into the line of motion, thereby capturing a large mouthful of fish. The crest of the wave created by the arc of the whales’ rapid turn is visible behind them. Several species of terns take advantage of the whales’ efforts. This lunge-feeding behavior began to appear in the Gulf of Thailand in 2017 and has been the dominant feeding methodology during 2018.
    eden-whale-balaenoptera-edeni-lunge-...tif
  • Small octopus foraging at night in the muck of Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
    small-octopus-foraging-at-night-lemb...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel returning to its nest at dawn after foraging high in the canopy during the night. It is carrying a small branch with leaf buds of a Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica), one of several prime food sources for this species.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • Three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) lined up in formation while resting between foraging dives
    sperm-whales-formation-while-resting...tif
  • Nembrotha cristata nudibranch foraging on the reef in Ambon, Indonesia
    Nembrotha-cristata-nudibranch-ambon-...tif
  • Nembrotha lineolata nudibranch foraging on small, green Didemnum molle tunicates. Ambon, Indonesia
    Nembrotha-lineolata-nudibranch-eatin...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii Japanese dwarf flying squirrel foraging at dawn. It is high in the canopy, around 15-20m, not far from its nest. The tree is a Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica), one of several prime food sources for this species. As seen here, these flying squirrels consume the leaf buds of this tree.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) visiting wintering grounds in Hokkaido, Japan. The swan is turned tail-end up while foraging for food.
    cygnus-cygnus-whooper-swan-foraging-...tif
  • Super macro image, straight-on view of a longsnout stick pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus) foraging in the muck of Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
    longsnout-stick-pipefish-Trachyrhamp...tif
  • The shipping lanes south of Sri Lanka are among the busiest in the world. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) and other cetaceans often congregate in these shipping lanes to feed on krill below. The potential for lethal ship strikes is clear.
    blue-whale-shipping-lane-sri-lanka-b...tif
  • This Japanese flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) has just emerged from its nest at dusk, before setting out for a night of a foraging in the tree tops.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This male and female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels have paired up for the reproductive season. They had just finished foraging for food high in the canopy and were sitting together like this during light snow. The pair mated a few days after this photograph was taken. The male is on the right, female left.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This humpback whale was part of a bubble-net feeding group in Icy Strait, Alaska. This breach was one of a series of breaches and pectoral slaps that occurred in tandem with the end of social foraging, with the whales going separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...tif
  • Female Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) with young fawn. The deer were foraging for food during the winter in Utoro, Hokkaido, Japan.
    japanese-sika-deer-Cervus-nippon-yes...tif
  • Starry night octopus (Callistoctopus luteus | Octopus luteus) foraging for food in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. These bright-red octopuses are relatively common at night in this area.
    starry-night-octopus-Callistoctopus-...tif
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