Esther's photos with the keyword: Sea creatures

Kenai Fjords National Parks Cruise - Humpback Whale AIMG 5361

A humpback whale on Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary breached within a few feet of this fishing boat. That was an experience that they will not soon forget. Adult humpback whales grow between 40 to 50 feet long and weigh between 25-40 tons (22,680-36,287 kg). When feeding, they consume 1 1/2 tons of krill (small shrimp) a day. There is no definitive theory as to why whales breach (lift at least 40% of their body out of the water). AIMG 3506

A humpback whale feeding at Stellwagen Bank off the coast of Massachusetts. You can see knobs called tubercles on the head, which are actually hair follicles and the baleen plates that they use for feeding. The gulls are attracted to the krill and small fish that the whale might miss. EWhale Watch June 2006 050