A drone video captured a humpback whale performing a lateral lunge while feeding near the shore of Southampton in the Hamptons [1, 2].

The footage provides a rare glimpse of the species' feeding behavior in a region where such sightings are uncommon. Because the whale was filmed so close to the coastline, the video offers a unique perspective on the interaction between marine giants and the New York shoreline.

Joanne Steidle, an award-winning drone photographer, filmed the sequence during the animals' spring migration [1, 2]. The footage shows the whale utilizing a lateral lunge, a high-energy feeding maneuver used to capture prey by swimming sideways and opening the mouth wide [2, 3].

Steidle has documented multiple sightings during the current migration season. She spotted 14 humpbacks [2] while operating her equipment along the coast.

While humpback whales are known to migrate along the East Coast, sightings this close to the beach in the Hamptons are relatively rare [1, 2]. The use of drone technology allows photographers to document these behaviors without the need for large vessels that might disturb the animals' natural movements, providing a non-invasive way to observe migration patterns.

Southampton officials and local residents often monitor the coast for such sightings during the spring and autumn months. This specific encounter highlights the proximity of migratory paths to populated coastal areas in the U.S. [2, 3].

“A drone video captured a humpback whale performing a lateral lunge while feeding near the shore”

The ability to capture high-resolution aerial footage of feeding behaviors like the lateral lunge helps researchers and the public understand the proximity of migratory species to urbanized coastlines. As drone technology becomes more accessible, these sightings provide critical data on how humpback whales utilize specific coastal corridors for feeding during their seasonal journeys.