Humpback Whales Bubble Screens
Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback Whales employ a unique hunting stradegy. The bubble screen. Humpback whales have been observed rounding up schools of small fish and by working together they release a screen of bubbles that bunch the small fish together. The whales then rise to the surface from underneath engulfing the fish.
I have also observed more than once a Humpback whale using a bubble screen to obscure a female Humpback from the vision of a competing male.
I have also observed whales doing the same thing in between a female whale and a whale watching boat. It would seem as if that whale regards the boat as a competitor or is trying to obscure the boat from the vision of the female.
Female Humpback whales are seen trying to find protection against amorous male Humpback whales by hiding underneath a whale watching vessel.
The female tries to protect herself and if she has a calf by finding shelter under a boat.
Humpback Whales will also blow bubbles under the boats resulting in a massive size stream of bubbles gurgling up at the boats sides, fascinating to watch and photograph.
Gary Crockett
Email: croc12000@yahoo.com
