03/08/09

A study of humpback feeding behaviors in Frederick Sound, Alaska.

Studies of bubble feeding behavior in the late 1980's showed that groups who used cooperative bubble feeding were often comprised of the same whales year after year except in years when a female member of the group had a calf.  The focus of the study this year in Alaska is to photo ID the humpback whales involved in cooperative feeding behaviors in Frederick Sound and see if these same whales are part of group activities, such as competitive pods, in Hawaii.  Pictures of tail flukes will taken and used in the identification process.  Our research platform was aboard the Alaska Adventurer for 8 days.

Team 5 from The Dolphin Institute studies in Hawai'i reunited with Dr. Adam Pack to gather data on the feeding grounds.

Team 5 - Alaska 2008
Sharon Parry, Donna Duberg, Dr. Adam Pack, Chris Zimmel
Photo courtesy of Pal Parry

All photos on this website are allowed under Federal Permit #1071-1770-02
Note:  all close encounters with humpbacks and orcas were permitted under this Federal permit.  Animals were not harassed and extreme care was taken to ensure that no changes in behavior occurred due to the proximity of the research vessel.

The Cherub Ahab
(courtesy of the webmaster's sister)

BEWARE the evil Cherub Ahab!

Scourge of the seas, she lurks in the depths, searching for her next victim.
Always ready, she is, with harpoon in hand and whale bait at her side.
Around her neck she wears a necklace of whale tails.
On her back she shows her hate of all that is good.

BEWARE the Cherub Ahab.

(She is, however, always careful to wear SPF 30 sunscreen
and a bathing cap to protect her anti-angelic tresses.....)