Running with the Whales ~ A Western Washington University Lecture by Nan Woodman

Running with the Whales – Dive below the waves with National Geographic Critter Cam for a unique and fascinating view of the secret lives of Humpback whales. In August 2008, Nancy was part off an expedition with Greg Marshall, inventor of “Critter Cam”, and a small team of researchers in Chatham Straight, Alaska. Through the eye of a special underwater camera and sensing device attached to Humpbacks, we are able to see the intimate world of whales below the waves. The whales work as a team in bubblenet activities, each with a specific task, to capture large numbers of fish. Having studied the whales for 10 years in both their wintering home (Hawaii) and their feeding ground (Alaska), the scientists have come to know each whale, the way it communicates, who its “pals” are, and how it works with others. Through critter cam we are seeing things never before seen by humans. Students learn about teamwork, as well as “thinking out of the box”, both with the scientists and whales, in reaching amazing goals.
Nancy has been given permission to share spectacular film footage. Taken by a whale calf, the film gives insight as to the calf’s relationship with it’s mother and shows “mom” taking baby deep into the ocean to watch a bubble net from below.