  We study in the cranked Nilsson plus random phase approximation low-lying
quadrupole excitations of positive parity and negative signature in 156Dy and
162Yb at high spins. Special attention is paid to a consistent description of
wobbling excitations and their identification among excited states. A good
agreement between available experimental data and the results of calculations
is obtained. We found that in 156Dy the lowest odd spin gamma-vibrational
states transform to the wobbling excitations after the backbending, associated
with the transition from axially-symmetric to nonaxial shapes. Similar results
are predicted for 162Yb. The analysis of electromagnetic transitions, related
to the wobbling excitations, determines uniquely the sign of the
gamma-deformation in 156Dy and 162Yb after the transition point.

Nuclear Theory