Fluke

Did you know that a humpback's fluke is like a fingerprint? No two are alike and it is the way scientists identify them. There is a website called HappyWhale and if you send a fluke photo in, they

Tail Lob

This is a tail lob. It is thought to be aggressive when they do this. Tail slaps on the other hand are different. Hawaii. 2022

Bubble Netting

Some Humpbacks use this fishing behavior to feed. It takes a group of them and one blows bubbles around a school of fish and then they swim up from below to scoop them up. 2019

Rainblow

In the right light you can see a rain'blow'. Silver Banks, DR. 2022

Back Breach

This is a partial back breach. This is mostly what we see and not a full launch with belly exposed. It can get tricky. Hawaii. 2022

Breach 2

Whales can be frustrating to photograph because when they breach you don't often get to see their bellies. Happy to see this calf's belly. Hawaii. 2022

Calf Breach in Tonga

This was a nice belly shot taken in Tonga. 2019

Breach

Some breaches are not full. They don't often seem to have their eyes open when they breach. Tonga. 2019

Calf Belly

This little guy was jumping for joy and spinning around. Humpback calves weigh around 1.5 tons when born and are 12-14feet in length. Tonga. 2019

Calf Spy Hop

When Whales spy hop sometimes you see their eyes and sometimes they pop out just enough that they use the water to magnify. In this case, you can see its eye. Tonga. 2019

Bubble Net 2.jpg

Another example of bubble netting. 2019

Double Breach

Well, kind of. I was photographing the first whale when the second one came out and as it went in, a calf came out. I wish they would synchronize better! Hawaii. 2022

Pec Slap

When whales pec slap it is as if they are saying Aloha. Hawaii. 2022.

Double Breach 3

Not quite in sync but working on it. I find it fascinating that I have seen so many this year. Hawaii. 2022

Double Breach 2

Here is another not quite double breach. Synchronicity is not something these guys do. Hawaii. 2022

Spy Hop 2

This whale was looking at us as he spy hopped, turning 180 degrees to get a better look. Hawaii. 2022

From Above

This mom and calf were right under the surface by our boat on a calm day. It looks like I took it underwater! Hawaii. 2022

Triple Whales

This is an escort, mom and calf in Tonga. 2019

Calf Swimming By

This calf was so curious. He did circles around me. Tonga. 2019

Above and Below

I caught this calf spying on me at the surface. What an experience! Tonga. 2019

Singing male

Only male humpbacks sing. Theories are that it is to attract a female but they attract other males with their song as well. Tonga. 2019

Light whale

There are many whales around the world who all go to different places to breed and give birth. I have noticed the Tonga whales are much lighter than others. They feed in Antarctica so that

Singer blowing bubbles

This singer was blowing bubbles. Quite a site to hear and

I See You!

This calf was very curious. He came very close to me. Tonga. 2019

Silver Banks

This mother was protective. Notice the calf is on the other side of her. When they get more comfortable, sometimes they will let the calf investigate us.

Mom and Yearling

This mother and sub-adult/yearling were saying hello. Note the white chin on mom. This means she is a bottom feeder and most likely feeds in Nova Scotia. Mother's usually kick their calf loose

Female Humpack

This mother floated at the surface while her yearling played below. Silver Banks, DR. 2022

Coming Up For Air

This whale came up for air but hardly made a blow. Silver Banks, DR. 2022

Mom and Yearling 2

Here is momma and her yearling calf lazily swimming past. Silver Banks, DR. 2022

The Hump

The hump humpbacks are named for. 2022

Bubble Net Feeding

This behavior is rather rare. As much time as I spend with humpbacks during mating season and the north where they feed I've seen it three times in 30 years.

Bubblenet Feeding Off British Columbia

This is a cropped in shot from the wider shot. It is fairly rare to see this feeding behavior as it is learned and only a few humpback do it.

Close Crop Baleen

These whales were bubble-net feeding off the coast of British Columbia. I cropped this in to show the baleen in their mouths that catch the krill.

Mother Whale Explodes from water

This mother whale breached after her calf did as if to say "this is how its done!" Taken off Molokai, HI 2/23

Calf Breach2

This calf breached with its belly towards me. What a site to see. Off Molokai, HI 2/23

Calf Breach 1

This calf was so playful. I feel lucky to have caught it breaching with its belly toward me. This is not usually the case. Taken off Molokai, HI 2/23

Mother Breach

This mother twisted and leaned back. She sure took a lot of water with her. Taken off Molokai, HI 2/23

Calf Breach with eye

This calf had its eye open, which is rare to capture. So adorable. March, 2023