This has no cropping..... The whale was that close.....a great experience....
The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12–16 metres (40–50 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The Humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the water. Males produce a complex whale song, which lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. The purpose of the song is not yet clear, although it appears to have a role in mating.
Found in oceans and seas around the world, Humpback Whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, Humpbacks fast and live off their fat reserves. The species' diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the spectacular bubble net fishing technique.
Like other large whales, the Humpback was a target for the whaling industry, and its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. Stocks of the species have since partially recovered, however entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution are ongoing concerns. Current estimates for the abundance of Humpback Whales range from about 30,000 to 60,000, approximately one third of pre-whaling levels. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, Humpbacks are now sought out by whale-watchers, particularly off parts of Australia and the United States.
ibcali, Tall Bob, 2africa.nl, and 95 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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hydrojeno 48 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called SAVE THE EARTH, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
gvasquez 48 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Mammals of Chile, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
©hapulcu 47 months ago | reply
Wow, it must have been an unforgettable experience.
Juergen.49 [deleted] 47 months ago | reply
youre a lucky guy !!!!
~!PenyLane!~ 47 months ago | reply
Wow factor 100% love this shot...added to my fav's!!!!!! ^,..,^
Richard.Fisher 47 months ago | reply
Excellent.
v8shots 46 months ago | reply
Fantastic shot!
escorpio82 46 months ago | reply
Hello! Soy group www.flickr.com/groups/aguas_del_mundo/ and we'd love to send your picture to the group and will join the group
sklachkov 41 months ago | reply
Excellent capture!
OXALISFOTO 41 months ago | reply
Great shot !!!
melcir.meri 41 months ago | reply
This astounding capture wins
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melcir.meri 41 months ago | reply
Your *INVITE-AWARD to be a Photographer for EARTH"
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S@ilor 41 months ago | reply
Awesome capture!
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Vesuvianite 41 months ago | reply
Wow, brilliant shot. It must have been quite the thrill to be so close!
Great image!
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Vesuvianite 41 months ago | reply
This awesome picture deserves a GOLD AWARD.
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little_frank 34 months ago | reply
Great !!!
Teruhide Tomori 34 months ago | reply
Dramatic motion !!
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This Moment 2010 34 months ago | reply
Fantastic shot! Hervey Bay is really the best place to do whale watching. I was there a week ago but I was not so lucky to see a great jump like this.
Konny ♫ 33 months ago | reply
Dizzying!
Great shot, Michael!
tapulan 13 months ago | reply
this is why i love hervey bay...printing maryborough