Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/05/21/alaskas-bubble-netting-whales/ # Bubble-Netting Whales of Alaska — Photographing Humpback Feeding Behaviour Off Sitka Published on May 21, 2024 [![A Surfacing Pod Of Bubble Netting Whales Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-surfacing-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by Various Photographers. Bubble-net feeding is a cooperative hunting technique used by certain groups of [humpback whales](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/humpback-whale/) in Southeast Alaska. A pod works together to corral schools of herring by blowing a tightening ring of bubbles beneath the surface, then lunges upward through the centre with mouths open. The entire sequence — from the first bubbles appearing on the surface to a dozen whales erupting simultaneously — can last just a few seconds, & it is one of the most dramatic pieces of animal behaviour you can photograph anywhere in the world. We now run dedicated [photography trips to the waters around Sitka](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/bubble-netting-whales/) in late March & April, timed to coincide with the peak herring run when bubble-netting activity is at its most intense. The first week sold out immediately, so we’ve added a [second repeat week](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/united-states/bubble-netting-whales-of-alaska/) to meet the demand. [![A Group Of Bubble Netting Whales In The Cold Waters Near Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-group-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-in-the-cold-waters-near-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-group-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-in-the-cold-waters-near-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) ## What Makes This Trip Work Photographically? The trip includes six full days on the water, working from small boats that can reposition quickly as feeding activity develops. The challenge — & the reward — is reading the surface signs. Experienced guides know the whales’ patterns & can anticipate where the next lunge is likely to occur, giving you critical seconds to frame & prepare. A 100–400mm zoom is the most versatile lens for this work. When the whales surface close to the boat, the wider end captures the scale of the group lunge; when they feed further out, the longer end isolates individual animals. High frame rates & fast autofocus matter here — the eruption is explosive & brief. Beyond the whales themselves, Southeast [Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/wildlife-in-alaska/)’s coastal environment adds depth to the portfolio. [Bald eagles](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/bald-eagle/) are ever-present, [sea otters](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sea-otter/) work the kelp beds, & the dramatic mountain-backed channels provide strong environmental backdrops that give context to the marine images. [![A Trio Of Bubble Netting Whales Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-trio-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-trio-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) ## Small Group, Experienced Guidance The group is deliberately kept small so that everyone has space to work on the boat without competing for position. Guides with detailed knowledge of the local whale pods & their behaviour help the group anticipate activity & make the most of each encounter. Whether you’re experienced with marine wildlife photography or this is your first time working from a boat, the combination of extended time on the water, experienced guidance, & the sheer frequency of feeding events across the week gives you the repetition needed to refine your technique & come home with images you’re genuinely proud of. [![A Pod Of Bubble Netting Whales Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) ## Dates & Booking Our [Bubble-Netting Whales of Alaska trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/bubble-netting-whales/) run in late March & April, timed around the herring spawn that triggers the most concentrated feeding activity. Full details, dates, & availability are on the [trip page](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/bubble-netting-whales/). [![A Pod Of Bubble Netting Whales Bursts To The Surface Off The Coast Of Sitka In Alaska](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-bursts-to-the-surface-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/A-pod-of-Bubble-netting-Whales-bursts-to-the-surface-off-the-coast-of-Sitka-in-Alaska.jpg) - NaturesLens wildlife photography holidays are structured around photographic opportunity — every schedule decision is made around light, behaviour, & access. - Small groups of 4–8 photographers ensure unhurried positions & individual guidance. - Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard across the majority of our trips. ## Share this post - - - - [![One Of The Pelicans Of Lake Kerkini Drifting On The Still Waters Of Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/one-of-the-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-drifting-on-the-still-waters-of-lake-kerkini-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/17/dalmatian-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-2027/) ### [Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini 2027 – New January Dates Added](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/17/dalmatian-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-2027/) January 17, 2026 The first Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini trip for 2027 is now full. New January dates have been added, offering… - [![One Of The Many Species That Were Photographed By Karen Folbeck During Our 2024 Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday 41](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/thumbnails/medium/One-of-the-many-species-that-were-photographed-by-Karen-Folbeck-during-our-2024-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-Photography-Holiday-41-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/01/27/some-of-the-images-that-were-captured-by-karen-kolbeck-during-our-2024-costa-rican-photography-holiday/) ### [Images from Karen’s Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/01/27/some-of-the-images-that-were-captured-by-karen-kolbeck-during-our-2024-costa-rican-photography-holiday/) January 27, 2025 Explore stunning images from the 2024 NaturesLens Costa Rican Photography Holiday captured by Karen Kolbeck - [![Some Of The Images That Were Captured By Dennis Craggs During Our 2024 Costa Rican Photography Holiday 87](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/thumbnails/medium/Some-of-the-images-that-were-captured-by-Dennis-Craggs-during-our-2024-Costa-Rican-Photography-Holiday-87-300x200.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/01/27/some-of-the-images-that-were-captured-by-dennis-during-our-costa-rican-photography-holiday/) ### [Images from Dennis’s Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/2025/01/27/some-of-the-images-that-were-captured-by-dennis-during-our-costa-rican-photography-holiday/) January 27, 2025 Immerse yourself in the dazzling images from the NaturesLens Costa Rican Photography Holiday, superbly captured by Dennis Craggs, one of… In this article 1. [What Makes This Trip Work Photographically?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/05/21/alaskas-bubble-netting-whales/#what-makes-this-trip-work-photographically) 1. [Small Group, Experienced Guidance](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/05/21/alaskas-bubble-netting-whales/#small-group-experienced-guidance) 1. [Dates & Booking](https://natureslens.co.uk/2024/05/21/alaskas-bubble-netting-whales/#dates-booking) ### Author DM [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. 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