Interesting feeding relationship between humpback whales and sea lions in Monterey Bay recorded on September 26, 2014 at 8AM. When the humpbacks and sea lions dive for anchovies the vocalizations of the sea lions ramps up (or increases in volume), as if they are herding the fish to the surface with their chattering sounds. The humpbacks also start vocalizing and often you will hear whoop calls that I have recorded with “Humphrey” and “Delta & Dawn” humpback whales lost up the Sacramento Delta in zero visibility water (1985 & 2007, respectively). Then when there is a pause in the vocalizations from both species, the raft (or carpet) of 200 plus sea lions comes up first, then shortly after 8-10 humpbacks surface. Listen to this 5 min digital recording (below link) during the same morning that includes 2 dive sequences. In the 1st, the sea lions are doing most of the vocalizations. Then you hear a pause in sounds during which time the sea lion raft appears and then the humpbacks surface (be patient for the vocalizations to happen). In the 2nd dive, the humpbacks get right in on the vocalizations with almost a song-like quality performance and then you can hear the sea lions ramp up again. biolightproductions.org/Sounds&Videos/MZ000002_m4x8-bit.aiff I also documented this feeding behavior in Monterey Bay back on November 5 & 7, 2001 with the sea lions chattering again that ramped up during dives, however the humpbacks were singing,” and they were feeding on sardines concentrated in large schools on the bottom in about 250 ft of water near Soquel Canyon. To listen to this recording, go to: biolightproductions.org/Sounds&Videos/HB-SeaLionsRampingUpS.aiff This unique interspecies association between humpback whales and sea lions in Monterey Bay has increased in occurrence for the past several years now. It has been a huge plus for the Whale Watching Community in Monterey Bay and there is nothing more exciting than seeing these beautiful and graceful whales breaching, flipper & fluke slapping, and breathing so deeply and rhythmically. Life is teeming in Monterey Bay right now and hope to get out more this year to record this amazing relationship. https://youtube/watch?v=AiewNtpXhA4 Nancy Black Nancy Black
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 01:53:15 +0000
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