Join wildlife photographer Sean Weekly in Alaska as we witness the phenomenon of humpbacks bubble-net feeding. We spend seven days on the water, searching for humpback whales and other wildlife including Stellar's sea lion and bald eagle.
Compile a short list of top wildlife spectacles to photograph and chances are, mass humpback whale bubble-net feeding will feature. There can be few more pulse-racing sights than a group of ten or more whales simultaneously erupting through the surface of the ocean, mouths a-gape with throat grooves bulging and water cascading through baleen while thousands of fish tumble this way and that in the roiling sea and above, hundreds of sea birds gather to pick off the debris. The waters off the Pacific north-west of British Columbia and Alaska are renowned locations where this behaviour may be witnessed.
In addition, the waters around Baranoff Island are home to other migrating and resident cetaceans including Bigg’s (transient) orcas, Dall’s porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphins and other mammals like Stellar’s sea lions, harbour seals and sea otters. The bird life is also prolific and includes hundreds of bald eagles, eight species of gull, common and hooded mergansers, numerous waterfowl like buffleheads, goldeneyes, longtailed ducks, harlequin ducks and surf scoters, and shore birds like blue herons, belted kingfishers, black oystercatchers and ruddy turnstones.
We have chartered a purpose-built small whale-watching vessel, with a highly experienced crew who specialise in whale and wildlife photography tours and will spend seven full days exploring the waters of Sitka Sound and the surrounds to maximise our interactions with and viewing of humpback whales and their bubble-net feeding antics and the other wildlife of the area.
Read more about this wildlife phenomenon in Nick's blog.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart London & overnight in Seattle
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Day 2:
Fly to Sitka
This morning, after breakfast we return back to SeaTac airport for our flight to Sitka via Anchorage.
Arriving in Sitka in the late afternoon, we transfer to our hotel and check in for an eight night stay, gathering later that evening for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Accommodation: Longliner Lodge, 8-nights
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Days 3-9
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Private boat-based wildlife photography excursions
We have seven full days on the water, typically spending 8 hours per day looking for whale feeding action, timing our trip to coincide with the peak period when humpback whales gather in the waters around Sitkan Sound in search of the vast schools of spawning herring. The prime feeding zone covers just 12 kilometres square of water, which means encounter rates with feeding whales are exceptionally high. The rugged snowcovered peaks of the Tongass National Forest, and crimson-streaked dormant volcano Mount Edgecumbe provide a breath-taking backdrop for photographing this spectacle.
To maximise opportunities our experienced crew uses a hydrophone, not only to locate the whales underwater, but also to help pin-point when and where bubble-net feeding behaviour is likely to happen. Bubble-net feeding is a learned behaviour that not all humpback whales have acquired. Indeed remarkable research suggests only 12 individual whales in southeast Alaska waters are able to 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 phenomenal behaviour.
In addition to bubble-net feeding we are also likely to see, and hopefully photograph, many other renowned humpback behaviours including, tail slapping, flipper slapping, spy hopping, flick feeding, and perhaps most spectacular of all full breaching.
When there is a lull in whale feeding activities, we will have plenty of opportunities to photograph other key species like Stellar’s sea lions, harbour seals, sea otters and bald eagles, and if we are lucky also perhaps Bigg’s (Transient) orcas. The local bird life is also prolific. While on the water we are likely to see marbled murrelets, rhinoceros auklets, common and thick billed murres, pigeon guillemots, numerous waterfowl like buffleheads, goldeneyes, long-tailed ducks, harlequin ducks, surf scoters and common and hooded mergansers.
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Day 10:
Depart Sitka
Sadly this morning we must say goodbye to Sitka and return to the airport for our flight back to Seattle via Anchorage and Ketchikan.
On arrival in Seattle, after collecting our bags we use the hotel shuttle service to return to our hotel where we have the afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Cedarbrook Lodge, 1-night
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Day 11:
Free day in Seattle & overnight flight to UK
We have much of the day to relax at the hotel or to visit downtown Seattle, prior to returning to the airport in good time for an overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 12:
Arrive UK
EXPEDITION VESSEL
