Bubble-net feeding is a feeding behavior engaged in by humpback whales and Bryde's whales. It is one of the few surface feeding behaviors that humpback whales are known to engage in. This type of feeding can be done alone or in groups with as many as twenty whales participating at once.
Bubble-net feeding is a cooperative feeding method used by groups of humpback whales. This behavior is not instinctual, it is learned; not every population of humpbacks knows how to bubble-net feed. Humpback whales use vocalizations to coordinate and efficiently execute the bubble net so they all can feed. As the group circles a school of small fish such as salmon, krill, or herring, they use a team effort to disorient and corral the fish into a "net" of bubbles. One whale will typically begin to exhale out of their blowhole at the school of fish to begin the process. More whales will then blow bubbles while continuing to circle their prey. The size of the net created can range from three to thirty meters in diameter. One whale will sound a feeding call, at which point all whales simultaneously swim upwards with mouths open to feed on the trapped fish. As the whales swim up to the surface to feed they can hold up to 15,000 gallons of sea water in their mouths. Humpback whales have 14 to 35 throat grooves that run from the top of the chin all the way down to the navel. These grooves allow the mouth to expand. When they swallow they stream the water out through their baleen as they ingest the fish. The fish that they ingest are also a source of hydration for them. Bubble netting is an advanced and necessary feeding method developed by humpback whales to feed multiple mouths at one time.
Seabirds are aware of the feeding whales and congregate over them. They dive down as soon as he whales surface and feed on the fish.
Group of feeding North Pacific Humpback Whales. (869k) Group of feeding North Pacific Humpback Whales. (989k) North Pacific Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira, german: Buckelwal, french: Baleine à bosse). (618k) North Pacific Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira, german: Buckelwal, french: Baleine à bosse). (782k) Diving North Pacific Humpback Whale. (497k) Two diving North Pacific Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira, german: Buckelwal, french: Baleine à bosse). (616k) Blowing North Pacific Humpback Whale. (510k) Tail fluke of a diving North Pacific Humpback Whale. (556k) Tail fluke of a diving North Pacific Humpback Whale. (502k) Tail fluke of a diving North Pacific Humpback Whale. (579k) Tail flukes of a diving North Pacific Humpback Whale. (592k) Pectoral fin of a North Pacific Humpback Whale. (775k) Bubble-net feeding North Pacific Humpback Whales. (748k) Bubble-net feeding North Pacific Humpback Whales. (700k) Blowing and diving North Pacific Humpback Whales. (346M) Bubble-net fishing North Pacific Humpback Whales. (53.5M)
Arizona Flora
The most conspicuous plants in the Arizona desert are the Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro) and its smaller relatives, the Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni) and the California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus). The Barrel Cacti are also called Compass Barrel Cacti, because of their tendency to grow leaning south. Younger ones look somewhat similar, but are easily distinguished by their spines. The Saguaro has straight spines that are white to gray. The Fishhook Barrel and California Barrel spines have red/purple/pink stems, with curved yellow tips. The tips of the spines of the Fishhook Barrel are curved stronger than the spines of the California Barrel. The Barrel cacti grow to a maximum height of about 2-3 m (7-10 ft). The Saguaro can grow to a height of almost 20 m (70 ft). If the cactus has side arms, it is a Saguaro, the Barrel cacti only have a straight stem, no side arms. The Saguaros are slow growing, they take between 20 and 50 years to reach a height of 1 m (3 ft), and can grow to 200 years old.
Globe Chamomile (Stinknet) (Oncosiphon pilulifer). It is a problematic recent invasive weed that quickly takes over large area. (1.8M) Lichen on desert rock. (1151k) Desert plant community in the Sonoran Desert with Teddybear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii), Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa), Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro), Creosote Bushes (Larrea tridentata, german: Kreosotbusch, french: Créosotier), and Mexican Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeata, german: Jerusalemsdorn, french: Épine de Jérusalem). (1009k) Desert plant community in the Sonoran Desert. (786k) Desert plant community in the Sonoran Desert with Creosote Bushes (Larrea tridentata, german: Kreosotbusch, french: Créosotier), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens, french: Ocotillo), and Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro). (1080k) Desert plant community in the Sonoran Desert in spring. The yellow flowers are Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa). (1171k) Dense Brittlebush cover (Encelia farinosa). (1.8M) Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1.7M) Flowers of Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa). (522k) Fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii). (2M) Coulter's Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1273k) Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus, german: Sonnenblume, french: Tournesol). (1297k) Close-up of Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus, german: Sonnenblume, french: Tournesol). (496k) Spreading Fanpetals (Sida abutifolia). (631k) Trailing Four O'Clock (Allionia incarnata). (769k) Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium, french: Morelle à feuilles de chalef). (1476k) Chia (Salvia columbariae, german: Kalifornische Chia, french: Chia dorée). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1409k) Close-up of Chia (Salvia columbariae, german: Kalifornische Chia, french: Chia dorée). (646k) Chuparosa (Justicia californica). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1.8M) Desert Penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis). (1465k) Close-up of Desert Penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis). (561k) Desert Chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (628k) Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (741k) Close-up of Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). (555k) Mexican Poppy (Eschscholzia californica mexicana, german: Kalifornischer Mohn, french: Pavot de Californie). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (765k) Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1366k) Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa). (940k) Close-up of Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa). (553k) Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla, french: Arbre aux houppettes). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1.7M) Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla, french: Arbre aux houppettes), left, and Few-flowered Bluedicks (Dipterostemon capitatus pauciflorum, french: Dichelostemma), right. (916k) Close-up of Few-flowered Bluedicks (Dipterostemon capitatus pauciflorum, french: Dichelostemma). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (376k) Close-up of Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla, french: Arbre aux houppettes). (1063k) Close-up of Fairy Duster with visiting bee. (681k) New Mexico Thistle (Cirsium neomexicanum). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (859k) Distant Phacelia (Phacelia distans). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (557k) Flower. (1.7M) Bulrush. (1112k) Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata, german: Kreosotbusch, french: Créosotier), front center. (2.8M) Flowering Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata, german: Kreosotbusch, french: Créosotier). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (2.2M) Yucca (Yucca sp., german: Palmlilien). (1278k) Flowering Utah Agave (Agave utahensis) in the Grand Canyon. It is endemic to the southwest USA. (1078k) Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata, german: Blaue Palmlilie, french: Yucca banane). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1.6M) Engelman's Hedgehog ssp. engelmannii (Echinocereus engelmannii engelmannii). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1297k) Engelman's Hedgehog ssp. engelmannii (Echinocereus engelmannii engelmannii). (1293k) Engelman's Hedgehog ssp. engelmannii (Echinocereus engelmannii engelmannii). (1215k) Flowering Engelman's Hedgehogs ssp. engelmannii (Echinocereus engelmannii engelmannii). (1.8M) Flowers of an Engelman's Hedgehog ssp. engelmannii. (1200k) Close-up of the flower of an Engelman's Hedgehog ssp. engelmannii with visiting bee. (770k) Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens, french: Ocotillo). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1082k) Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (2M) Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa) with Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) around it. The whole hillside is yellow with Brittlebush. (1249k) Flowering Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1430k) Flowers of a Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa). (834k) Close-up of a Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa). (793k) Engelman's Prickly-pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmannii). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1107k) Engelman's Prickly-pear Cactus flowers. (706k) Engelman's Prickly-pear Cactus with fruits. (832k) Large Jumping Cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and México. (1166k) Jumping Cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida). (1148k) Teddybear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and México. (1042k) Close-up of a Teddybear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii). (1052k) California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus). You can see it leaning towards the south, which gives it the name "Compass Barrel". It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1190k) Small flowering California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus). (1437k) Small Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1395k) Spines on the top of a Fishhook Barrel Cactus. (1219k) Close-up of the spines of a Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni). You can see the red/pink/purple stems and the curved yellow tips. (922k) Flowers of a Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni). You can see that the spine tips are much stronger curved than at the California Barrel Cactus. (1015k) Close-up of the flower of a Compass Barrel Cactus. (909k) Flowering Agave (Agave sp., german: Agaven). (1367k) Close-up of flowering Agave (Agave sp., german: Agaven). (1224k) Green Ephedra (Ephedra viridis, german: Meerträubel). It is endemic to the eastern parts of the USA. (875k) Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro). It is endemic to the south-western parts of the USA and northern México. (1056k) Huge Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro). This one was close to 20 m (70 ft) tall. (869k) Flowers on a Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro). (684k) Fruits on a Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea, german: Saguaro, french: Saguaro). (605k) Top of a Saguaro cactus, notice the characteristic straight white or gray spines. (955k) This is what the inside of a Saguaro looks like. (912k) Pine forest at the Grand Canyon. (1348k) Ponderosa Pine forest (Pinus ponderosa, german: Gelb-Kiefer, french: Pin ponderosa) on volcanic cinder. (1241k) Deformed Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa, german: Gelb-Kiefer, french: Pin ponderosa). (958k)
Pacific Coast. (744k) Horsetail (Equisetum sp., german: Schachtelhalme). (1370k) Close-up of a Horsetail (Equisetum sp., german: Schachtelhalme). (1219k) Flowers. (1457k) Lizard. (958k) Northern Elephant Seals colony. (1181k) Resting Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris, german: Nördlicher See-Elefant, french: Éléphant de mer du nord). (1165k) Squabbling Northern Elephant Seals. (806k) Female Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris, german: Nördlicher See-Elefant, french: Éléphant de mer du nord). (1029k) Close-up of a female Northern Elephant Seal. (1015k) Close-up of a female Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris, german: Nördlicher See-Elefant, french: Éléphant de mer du nord). (858k) Male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris, german: Nördlicher See-Elefant, french: Éléphant de mer du nord). (733k) Sparring male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris, german: Nördlicher See-Elefant, french: Éléphant de mer du nord). (1007k) Sparring male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga angustirostris, german: Nördlicher See-Elefant, french: Éléphant de mer du nord). (684k)
Florida
In the Everglades National Park with South Florida Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii densa, french: Pin d'Elliott). (747k) One of the Hammocks in the Florida Keys with Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides, german: Spanisches Moos, french: Mousse espagnole). (1254k) Periphyton algae. This is the base of the food web in the Everglades. (1203k) Mushroom. (627k) Spider Lily (Crinum asiaticum, french: Lys araignée). (624k) Beach Spider Lily (Hymenocallis littoralis, french: Hyménocalle littoral). (726k) White Mouth Dayflower (Commelina erecta). (561k) Wild Petunia (Ruellia sp., german: Ruellien). (556k) Beach Bean (Canavalia rosea, german: Strandbohne, french: Pois-bord-de-mer). (589k) Epiphytes. (918k) Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides, german: Spanisches Moos, french: Mousse espagnole). (1221k) Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle, german: Rote Mangrove, french: Palétuvier rouge). (1017k) Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle, german: Rote Mangrove, french: Palétuvier rouge). (893k) Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans, german: Schwarze Mangrove, french: Bois de mèche). (1068k) Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans, german: Schwarze Mangrove, french: Bois de mèche). (1336k) Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto, german: Palmettopalme, french: Chou palmiste). It is endemic to the subtropical Southeastern United States. (1140k) Cabbage Palmetto (Sabal palmetto, german: Palmettopalme, french: Chou palmiste). (1129k) South Florida Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii densa, french: Pin d'Elliott). It is endemic to the southeast of the USA. (1169k) South Florida Slash Pine forest (Pinus elliottii densa, french: Pin d'Elliott). (923k) Florida Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea). (1046k) Fly visiting a flower. (656k) Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca serialis cubense). (1176k) Zebra Longwing ssp. vazquezae (Heliconius charithonia vazquezae, german: Zebrafalter). (626k) Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis, french: Pachydiplax). (515k) Female Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata). (608k) Male Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata). (534k) Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina, french: Célithème géante). (544k) Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina, french: Célithème géante). (503k) Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina, french: Célithème géante). (534k) Florida Tree Snail (Liguus fasciatus). (586k) American Broad-front Fiddler Crab (Minucini gen.). (781k) Redfin Needlefish (Strongylura notata). (692k) Green Iguana (Iguana iguana, german: Grüner Leguan, french: Iguane vert). (1083k) Close-up of Green Iguana (Iguana iguana, german: Grüner Leguan, french: Iguane vert). (827k) Male Green Iguana (Iguana iguana, german: Grüner Leguan, french: Iguane vert). (835k) Close-up of male Green Iguana (Iguana iguana, german: Grüner Leguan, french: Iguane vert). (965k) Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, german: Echte Karettschildkröte, french: Tortue imbriquée). (577k) Baby sea turtle. (668k) Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta, german: Unechte Karettschildkröte, french: Caouanne). (626k) Loggerhead Sea Turtle with badly damaged shell. (598k) Sea Turtles. (785k) Close-up of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta, german: Unechte Karettschildkröte, french: Caouanne). (598k)
Hawai'i
Pioneer growth on lava scree. (1130k) Scree covered, partially vegetated hill. The red plants are Pink Knotweed (Persicaria capitata, german: Knöpfchen-Knöterich). (1176k) Pink Knotweed (Persicaria capitata, german: Knöpfchen-Knöterich). The plant is introduced from Asia. (1.5M) Pink Knotweed (Persicaria capitata, german: Knöpfchen-Knöterich). (1.5M) Pink Knotweed (Persicaria capitata, german: Knöpfchen-Knöterich). (1255k) Flower. (1394k) Flowers. (975k) Fern (Polypodiales fam., german: Tüpfelfarnartige). (1294k) Fern fronds. (1319k) Coiled "fiddlehead", a young shoot ot a fern plant. (905k) Tree ferns. (1.6M) 'Ohi'a Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha, german: Ohiabaum, french: 'Ohi'a lehua). It is endemic to Hawai'i. (1320k) 'Ohi'a Lehua flower (Metrosideros polymorpha, german: Ohiabaum, french: 'Ohi'a lehua). (880k) Tree with air roots. (1375k)
Louisiana
Trees in a Bayou with Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides, german: Spanisches Moos, french: Mousse espagnole). (810k) Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides, german: Spanisches Moos, french: Mousse espagnole). (1184k) American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis, german: Mississippi-Alligator, french: Alligator d'Amérique). It is endemic to the southeastern USA. (1055k)
Massachusetts
View over central Massachusetts. (910k) Mount Wachusett. (900k) Massachusetts has lots of lakes. (1013k) MA lake surrounded by fall colors. (1001k) MA lake surrounded by fall colors. (1072k) Ducks on a lake. (1257k) Raindrops. (966k) Lake with fall colors in the rain. (993k) Lake with fall colors in the rain. (1096k) Lake with fall colors in the rain. (1019k) Lake with fall colors in the rain. (1070k) Fall colors. (1070k) Fall colors. (1122k) Fall colors. (1189k) Fall colors. (1337k) Fall colors. (1266k) Fall colors. (1119k) Fall colors. (1402k)
New York
An Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis, german: Grauhörnchen, french: Écureuil gris) in Central Park. (753k)
This page contains 342 pictures with 170 species and 3 videos
Dr. Günther Eichhorn Travel Website
Soaring website