Alaska’s Humpback Whale Bubble-Net Feeding 3-Day Photo Tour-Neil McDermott

Join our professional crew for three full days on the water spending a minimum 8 hours per day looking for and photographing whale feeding action. Your tour is timed to coincide with the peak period when humpback whales gather in the waters around Sitka Sound to gorge on the vast schools of spawning herring. It is by no coincidence the BBC and National Geographic chose Sitka Sound precisely at this time of the year to film Humpback whales Bubble-net feeding for their documentaries, “Planet Earth” and “Secrets of the Whales”. This behavior is one of the most dramatic natural phenomena on our planet. Witnessing several enormous whales, working cooperatively to corral and then devour schools of herring, is truly remarkable. Watching a pod of whales lunging from the water, mouths gaping, fish spilling from their open maws, and flocks of seabirds hanging above is a breath-snatching experience. The prime feeding zone covers about 50 square miles of water, which means encounter rates with feeding whales are exceptionally high. The rugged snow-covered peaks of the Tongass National Forest, and crimson-streaked dormant volcano Mount Edgecumbe provide a breath-taking backdrop for photographing this spectacle. To maximize opportunities our experienced crew uses a hydrophone to help detect when bubble-net feeding behavior is likely to happen. Bubble-net feeding is a learned behavior that not all humpback whales have acquired. Remarkable research suggests only 12 individual whales in southeast Alaska waters can coordinate and lead whale groups performing this amazing spectacle. Occasionally it is also possible to see young humpback calves, observing and learning the sequences required to effectively execute this astonishing behavior. Flights to Sitka, lodging and meals are not included. We can suggest lodging and food options. Book online Bubble-Net Feeding Humpback Whale Tour | A Whale’s Song Expedition (awhalessongexpeditions.com) Use Promo Code – NANPA or call and mention you are a NANPA member to receive 15 % off this truly remarkable event. List Price $2359 / NANPA Member Pricing $2005