These gigantic marine creatures towered over the tourist vessel, creating an unforgettable scene as they lunged towards the surface to capture their prey. Sea lions and seagulls also joined in the action, competing for a share of the anchovies hiding beneath the boat.
Photographer Jodi Frediani was on hand to capture this breathtaking display of nature’s power. She mentioned that the whales came remarkably close to the boat, providing an up-close and personal encounter for the fortunate onlookers.
“Lunge feeding,” as observed in this spectacle, is a behavior where whales rapidly consume large quantities of prey and water by propelling themselves forward with great force. They utilize a baleen filter-feeding system, acting as a giant sieve, to separate the prey from excess water.
Frediani explained, “Sometimes the anchovies will hide under the boats, attempting to escape from the giant mouths of feeding whales. Sometimes they get lucky, at least for a short time. But the whales are experts at what they do, and sooner or later the small fish become lunch or dinner.”
Humpback whales are known for their acrobatic feeding methods, often using coordinated bubble-net techniques to corral and capture their prey. They are a common sight in Monterey Bay, with several hundred individuals migrating from their winter grounds off the coast of Mexico to central California for the feeding season between April and November.
This incredible encounter between humans and these magnificent marine creatures serves as a testament to the wonders of the natural world and the importance of preserving our oceans and the ecosystems they support.
