{"id":3716,"date":"2019-08-30T19:25:42","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T19:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/?p=3716"},"modified":"2019-09-11T19:18:54","modified_gmt":"2019-09-11T19:18:54","slug":"kingdom-of-whales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/30\/kingdom-of-whales\/","title":{"rendered":"Kingdom of Whales"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/356446375?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Norwegian fjords just north of Troms\u00f8 are some of the best whale watching sites in the world. During the winter, the waters between Kval\u00f8ya and And\u00f8ya are teeming with orcas and humpbacks, as well as the occasional fin whale. They are there for the herring, which populate the fjords in their millions during the wintertime. At 3 degrees Celsius, the cold water is perfect for herring. They need temperatures below 6 degrees to successfully reproduce.<\/p>\n<p>However, over the last two decades, the herring have moved further and further north, and the whales with them. It could be that global warming and rising ocean temperatures have compelled the herring to seek colder, more northerly waters, but scientists don&#8217;t know for sure. What we do know is that the herring have migrated some 300 km (190 miles) from their former wintering grounds of Vestfjorden, to their new home in the coastal areas outside Troms\u00f8. The other big change is that the fish were once preyed upon by orca alone. Now, humpbacks are gate-crashing the party.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery gallery-3716 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496792-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496792<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial photo of a school of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in shallow waters with both Humpback whales (Megaptera novaenliae) and Killer whales (Orcinus orca) feeding, as well as fishing boats, coast of Kvaloya, Norway January\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-150x96.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-768x494.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-320x206.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-375x241.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-600x386.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-900x578.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559611-165x106.jpg 165w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial photo of a school of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in shallow waters with both Humpback whales (Megaptera novaenliae) and Killer whales (Orcinus orca) feeding, as well as fishing boats, coast of Kvaloya, Norway January\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559611<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"737\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial photo of a school of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in shallow waters with both Humpback whales (Megaptera novaenliae) and Killer whales (Orcinus orca) feeding, coast of Kvaloya, Norway January\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-150x108.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-768x553.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-320x230.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-375x270.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-600x432.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-900x648.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559615-147x106.jpg 147w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial photo of a school of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in shallow waters with both Humpback whales (Megaptera novaenliae) and Killer whales (Orcinus orca) feeding, coast of Kvaloya, Norway January\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559615<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Hundreds of Herring (Clupea harengus) jumping out of the water to escape bubble-net feeding Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) attack from below. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-375x211.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496778-188x106.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Hundreds of Herring (Clupea harengus) jumping out of the water to escape bubble-net feeding Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) attack from below. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496778<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on Herring (Clupea harengus) Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-375x211.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496776-188x106.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on Herring (Clupea harengus) Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496776<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whale \/ Orca (Orcinus orca) predating Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) at surface, blood drops visible, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway October\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559680-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whale \/ Orca (Orcinus orca) predating Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) at surface, blood drops visible, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway October\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559680<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) bubble net feeding behaviour, note the eye and ventral grooves, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway October\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-150x86.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-320x183.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-375x214.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-900x514.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559682-186x106.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) bubble net feeding behaviour, note the eye and ventral grooves, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway October\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559682<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-150x97.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-320x208.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-375x244.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-600x390.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-900x584.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629883-163x106.jpg 163w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629883<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on herring near the surface, Andfjorden close to Andoya, Nordland, Northern Norway. January.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496766-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on herring near the surface, Andfjorden close to Andoya, Nordland, Northern Norway. January.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496766<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) with herring, gulls in air and Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca) in background. Troms, Norway.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-375x211.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629940-188x106.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) with herring, gulls in air and Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca) in background. Troms, Norway.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629940<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) feeding on Herring (Clupea harengus) Troms, Norway.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-375x211.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629936-188x106.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) feeding on Herring (Clupea harengus) Troms, Norway.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629936<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"631\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) fighting over Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-150x92.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-320x197.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-375x231.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-600x370.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-900x555.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559697-172x106.jpg 172w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) fighting over Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559697<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h2><strong>Hunting Techniques<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The humpbacks travel 5,000 miles (8,000km) across the Atlantic to replenish their fat reserves before making the <span>long and arduous journey <\/span><span>back to <\/span><span>their Equatorial breeding waters<\/span><span>. Herring are the perfect prey. They&#8217;re<\/span> easy to hunt, available in large quantities and are very high in calories. The humpbacks team up, circling the herring and corralling them into a net of bubbles. Then they all swim up to the surface together, lunging at their grey and gulping huge quantities of fish and seawater alike.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/348410581?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The orcas, on the other hand, are like sheepdogs working a flock. They herd the herring into tight groups and stop them from diving by taking turns to swim beneath the school. They encircle the herded herring in an &#8216;orca carousel&#8217;, driving them upwards to the surface. The fish have nowhere left to go and leap into the air, until one of the orcas slaps the water with its tail. The shockwave stuns &#8211; and sometimes kills &#8211; the herring, and dinner is served.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/348415329?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Scientists say the whale activity in the fjords is quite unique. Although the humpbacks and orcas often feed in the same area without showing signs of competition, there have also been observations of humpbacks &#8216;hijacking&#8217; herring that the orcas have herded. Northern Norway is the only place in the world where humpbacks have been seen apparently taking advantage of orcas\u2019 hunting technique. In other parts of the world, orcas are known to prey on young humpbacks, making this behaviour even more surprising.<\/p>\n<p>With the humpbacks joining the orcas, it is now possible to see many hundreds of whales in a relatively small geographic area. The gathering is on a scale never before seen in Norwegian history. But it all depends on the herring stocks. In the future, if the herring decide to stay further out to sea, the whales will no longer be seen close to shore. For now, the populations along Norway&#8217;s coast appear to be thriving.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery gallery-3716 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca) feeding on a bait ball of Herring. Extremely cold conditions (- 15 C) with backlit ice fog. Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. January\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629893-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca) feeding on a bait ball of Herring. Extremely cold conditions (- 15 C) with backlit ice fog. Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. January\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629893<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca). Spyhopping. Kvaloya, Troms, Norway October\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629862-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca). Spyhopping. Kvaloya, Troms, Norway October\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629862<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"583\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Three diving Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving during polar night, Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-768x437.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-320x182.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-375x214.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-600x342.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-900x512.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496844-186x106.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Three diving Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving during polar night, Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496844<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching sequence, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-150x86.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-320x183.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-375x214.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-900x514.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559653-186x106.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching sequence, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559653<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca) pod searching for herring in Andfjorden, close to Andoya, Nordland, Norway, January (polar night period).\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-375x211.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-900x506.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481100-188x106.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca) pod searching for herring in Andfjorden, close to Andoya, Nordland, Norway, January (polar night period).\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01481100<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca). Spyhopping very close, showing eye. Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-320x240.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-375x281.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629878-141x106.jpg 141w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca). Spyhopping very close, showing eye. Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629878<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfacing during polar night, with full moon low in horizon. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496846-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfacing during polar night, with full moon low in horizon. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496846<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) showing details of tail fluke as it dives, flukes used for individual identification, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, October\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-150x87.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-320x187.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-375x219.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-600x350.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-900x525.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559691-182x106.jpg 182w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) showing details of tail fluke as it dives, flukes used for individual identification, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, October\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559691<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"742\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca). Spyhopping. Kvaloya, Troms, Norway November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-150x109.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-768x557.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-320x232.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-375x272.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-600x435.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-900x652.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629866-146x106.jpg 146w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca). Spyhopping. Kvaloya, Troms, Norway November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629866<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Pod of Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca). Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-150x86.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-320x183.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-375x214.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-900x514.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629874-186x106.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Pod of Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca). Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629874<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) taking a breath, spray backlit by evening sun, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, October\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-150x90.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-320x192.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-375x225.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-900x540.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559690-177x106.jpg 177w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) taking a breath, spray backlit by evening sun, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, October\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559690<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Fluke of diving Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with one blowing in the background. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496772-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Fluke of diving Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with one blowing in the background. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01496772<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/348409592?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Memorable moment<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Over the years, photographer Espen Bergersen has had many memorable sightings of whales.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Like when the herring moved in to very shallow waters with sandy bottom,&#8221; he recollects. &#8220;It was a freezing cold January day. The original plan was to look for whales from my boat, but with temperatures of minus 12 degree Centigrade, I couldn&#8217;t start the boat engine. I decided to look for whales travelling along the coastline by car. At a place called Sommar\u00f8y in Northern Norway, I observed a group of orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring close to shore.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I parked my car very close to where the whales were feeding, and launched my drone, a DJI Phantom 3 Pro. Standing at the shoreline, I couldn&#8217;t understand how spectacular this would look from the air. From that perspective, I could clearly see the enormous school of herring as a dark patch against the green sea-floor. It was amazing to see how the herring tried to keep their distace from the orcas.\u00a0Even better, the orcas were using tail slaps to stun the fish before eating them, one by one.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Orcas are actually quite picky when it comes to eating herring, they often take only the good parts, leaving the head behind. The leftovers are taken care of by hungry gulls. This was really an unique situation since the herring normally stay in deeper waters where they are difficult to see. In 9 seasons, I have only seen this situation once!&#8221;<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/348412498?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Humpback Spectacle<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;Likewise, it is also very exciting to follow a group of humpback whales as they catch herring in their bubble nets. You see the group do a synchronised dive, then you just have to wait. You never know when or where they come up again, or if there will be any action at all. But if the hunting is a success, the whales come to the surface like rockets with wide open mouths, filling up with herring and water. It&#8217;s a spectacular view!&#8221;<br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery gallery-3716 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559646-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559646-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559646-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559646-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559709-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble net \/ lunge feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) at dusk, pod co-operative feeding, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559709-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559709-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559709-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble net \/ lunge feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) at dusk, pod co-operative feeding, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559696-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) one lucky fish is escaping, note the baleen plates, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559696-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559696-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559696-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559696-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) lunge feeding on herring (Clupea harengus) one lucky fish is escaping, note the baleen plates, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496836-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on herring at surface with ventral grooves clearly visible. Herring gulls in the background scavenging. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496836-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496836-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01496836-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding on herring at surface with ventral grooves clearly visible. Herring gulls in the background scavenging. Kvaloya, Troms, Northern Norway. November.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h2><strong>Whales and fishing vessels<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There is an extensive but regulated fishery for herring in Norway, in the same area where the whales gather.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One could think this would be a problem for the whales,&#8221; suggests Bergersen, &#8220;But it might also be a benefit, at least in short term. The whales know the sound of a herring vessel, and they very often seek out the boats! There will always be herring escaping the fish net &#8211; an easy meal for the whales! Both orcas and humpbacks crowd the vessels, and it can be a really intense situation with gulls joining in too!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The sound and sight of hundreds of hungry gulls and whales can be overwhelming. It&#8217;s rare that any whales get caught in the herring fish net, but it can happen. Usually orcas can free themselves without physical injuries. This is unfortunately not the case for humpback whales swimming into fishing nets meant for cod. Every year, some humpbacks get entangled. Often, they are freed by the coast guard, but others are not so lucky.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/348413175?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery gallery-3716 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01585883-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Aerial view of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) investigating Herring (Clupea harengus) caught in fishing net, with gulls, Norway. December. Second place in the Man and Nature Category of the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards 2017.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01585883-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01585883-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01585883-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01585883-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) investigating Herring (Clupea harengus) caught in fishing net, with gulls, Norway. December. Second place in the Man and Nature Category of the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards 2017.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Killer whales (Orcinus orca) next to fishing vessel pulling net full of herring - the whales are feeding on any fish escaping the net, outside Kvaloya, Norway. December\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559720-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whales (Orcinus orca) next to fishing vessel pulling net full of herring - the whales are feeding on any fish escaping the net, outside Kvaloya, Norway. December\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629956-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Herring boat with net full of Herring (Clupea harengus). Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca) feeding around the boat. Troms, Norway.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629956-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629956-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629956-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Herring boat with net full of Herring (Clupea harengus). Killer whales \/ orcas (Orcinus orca) feeding around the boat. Troms, Norway.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h2><strong>All year whale watching<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The best time to visit is between late October and mid-January. While Troms\u00f8 is the best place for winter whale watching, the Vester\u00e5len coast and And\u00f8ya are better in the summer months. Here, <span>large blooms of plankton support the species upon which whales rely. The fish stocks attract sperm, pilot, humpback, minke, fin, and killer whales, <\/span>as well as dolphins and porpoises. Cetaceans can be seen at these locations year-round.<\/p>\n<p>Summer whale watching tours can be booked through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seasafariandenes.no\/\">Sea Safari Andenes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whalesafari.no\/\">Whalesafari Andenes<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arcticwhaletours.com\/\">Arctic Whale Tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Winter safaris are operated by dozens of different companies.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery gallery-3716 style-scrollingstrip'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching above surface, whale watching boat in background, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559670-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching above surface, whale watching boat in background, Kvaloya, Troms, Norway November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559670<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Minke whale (Baelanoptera acutorostrata) photographed just before midnight. Outside Andoya, Northern Norway. 22 nautical miles northwest of Andenes, Northern Norway. July\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629879-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Minke whale (Baelanoptera acutorostrata) photographed just before midnight. Outside Andoya, Northern Norway. 22 nautical miles northwest of Andenes, Northern Norway. July\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629879<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Sperm whale {Physeter macrocephalus} showint tail fluke as it dives. Photographed just before midnight. 22 nautical miles northwest of Andenes, Northern Norway. July\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629880-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Sperm whale {Physeter macrocephalus} showint tail fluke as it dives. Photographed just before midnight. 22 nautical miles northwest of Andenes, Northern Norway. July\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629880<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"631\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Fisherman watching Killer whale (Orcinus orca) male surfacing with Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-150x92.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-320x197.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-375x231.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-600x370.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-900x555.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559703-172x106.jpg 172w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Fisherman watching Killer whale (Orcinus orca) male surfacing with Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) Kvaloya, Troms, Norway, November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559703<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) family pod at surface seen from the air, Andfjorden, Andoya, Norway July\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559634-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) family pod at surface seen from the air, Andfjorden, Andoya, Norway July\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559634<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"645\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) jumping above surface, Varangerfjorden, Finnmark, Norway March\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-320x202.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-375x236.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-600x378.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-900x567.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559674-168x106.jpg 168w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) jumping above surface, Varangerfjorden, Finnmark, Norway March\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559674<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving. In background a diving boat and 3 divers visible in the water. Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01629886-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving. In background a diving boat and 3 divers visible in the water. Kvanangen, Troms, Norway. November\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01629886<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) dorsal fins visible at surface, Andenes, Andoya, Norway July\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-150x75.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-320x160.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-375x188.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-900x450.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01559629-212x106.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) dorsal fins visible at surface, Andenes, Andoya, Norway July\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01559629<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095.jpg\" class=\"attachment-gallery-strip-thumb size-gallery-strip-thumb\" alt=\"Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca), large male surfacing, Andfjorden, close to Andoya, Nordland, Norway, January (polar night period).\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/01481095-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Killer whale \/ orca (Orcinus orca), large male surfacing, Andfjorden, close to Andoya, Nordland, Norway, January (polar night period).\" \/><\/div><div class=\"gallery-overview-caption\"><strong>01481095<\/strong> by Espen Bergersen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>View more images and footage in our gallery <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/wild-destinations\/polar-regions\/norway-whale-watching.html\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/348409437?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; The Norwegian fjords just north of Troms\u00f8 are some of the best whale watching sites in the world. During the winter, the waters between Kval\u00f8ya and And\u00f8ya are teeming with orcas and humpbacks, as well as the occasional fin whale. They are there for the herring, which populate the fjords in their millions during&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/30\/kingdom-of-whales\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"button\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[54,136,137,138],"class_list":["post-3716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stories","category-photographers","tag-whale-watching","tag-norway-whales","tag-norwegian-whales","tag-cetaceans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3716"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3716"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4011,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3716\/revisions\/4011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}