Humpback Whale Photos, Megaptera novaeangliae

North Pacific humpback whales, a mother and calf pair swim closely together just under the surface of the ocean. The calf with remain with its mother for about a year, migrating from Hawaii to Alaska to feed on herring. Megaptera novaeangliae, Molokai, Hawaii.

Humpback whale breaching, near Molokai, Hawaii. Megaptera novaeangliae. It is suspected the breaching often has a communicative purpose which depends on the behavioral context of the moment.

A humpback whale hovers motionless underwater in the ocean, inverted with head down and long pectoral fins held wide, near the Hawaiian island of Maui as it sings the famous "Song of the Humpback Whale". Scientists have strong evidence that only male humpback whales sing.

Humpback whale breaching with pectoral fins lifting spray from the ocean surface.

Humpback whale lunge feeding on Antarctic krill, with mouth open and baleen visible. The humbpack's throat grooves are seen as its pleated throat becomes fully distended as the whale fills its mouth with krill and water. The water will be pushed out, while the baleen strains and retains the small krill.

Humpback whale waterfall, Megaptera novaeangliae, Channel Islands, California.

A peduncle throw, or tail lob, this humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) uses its long pectoral fins as levers to swing its fluke and caudal stem out of the water, flinging water everywhere.

North Pacific humpback whale, escort in competitive group makes fast close pass.

North Pacific humpback whale, peduncle throw.

A humpback whale raises it fluke out of the water, the coast of Del Mar and La Jolla is visible in the distance.

North Pacific humpback whale, peduncle throw.

Humpback whale, underwater in the Hawaiian islands, Megaptera novaeangliae.

Southern humpback whale in Antarctica, with significant diatomaceous growth (brown) on the underside of its fluke, lifting its fluke before diving in Neko Harbor, Antarctica.

Humpback whale lunge feeding on Antarctic krill, Antarctic Peninsula.

Humpback whale in Antarctica. A humpback whale swims through the beautiful ice-filled waters of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

North Pacific humpback whales, a mother and young calf swim near scientific research divers. Megaptera novaeangliae.

North Pacific humpback whale raising its fluke before diving underwater to forage for herring in southeast Alaska.

Humpback whale breaching.

Southern humpback whale in Antarctica, lifting its fluke (tail) before diving in Cierva Cove, Antarctica.

Humpback whale holding fluke (tail) aloft out of the water.

Humpback whale with one of its long pectoral fins raised aloft out of the water, swimming on its side (laterally) as it does so.

North Pacific humpback whale, adult male with bloody head nodules wounded from colliding with other escorts during competitive interactions.

Male humpback whale with head raised out of the water, braking and pushing back at another whale by using pectoral fins spread in a "crucifix block", during surface active social behaviours.

Humpback whale in Antarctica. A humpback whale swims through the beautiful ice-filled waters of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

Extensive fluke scarring on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) makes this fluke ID photograph valuable for researchers capture/recapture study.

Humpback whale fluke ID photograph, the white patches and scalloping along the trailing edge of the fluke make this whale identifiable in capture/recapture studies. Channel Islands, California.

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) blowhole, showing twin nares (nostrils) which have small parasites clinging to the skin around the blowhole openings. Channel Islands, California.

Humpback whale holding fluke (tail) aloft out of the water.

Humpback whales at the surface, resting and breathing between dives, with West Maui volcano and clouds. Megaptera novaeangliae.

Male humpback whale with head raised out of the water, braking and pushing back at another whale by using pectoral fins spread in a "crucifix block", during surface active social behaviours.

Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (ventral aspect).

Humpback whale surface active group including head lunge and two fluke swipes, whale watching boat.

Humpback whale competitive group, surfacing and blowing.

North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge.

Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw at the surface, swinging its fluke (tail) sideways and flinging water all over.

Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw at the surface, swinging its fluke (tail) sideways and flinging water all over.

North Pacific humpback whale rounds out in front of whale watching boat.

North Pacific humpback whale at the surface with open mouth and inflated throat, in front of whale watching boat.

North Pacific humpback whale rounds out near observers.

North Pacific humpback whales, competitive group exhaling at the surface.

Humpback whale performing a head slap.

Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw.

Humpback whale swimming inverted with both pectoral fin raised clear of the water.

Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (dorsal aspect).

Humpback whale fluking up, ventral aspect of fluke visible.

Humpback whale fluking up, raising tail before diving.

Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.

Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.

Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw at the surface, swinging its fluke (tail) sideways and flinging water all over.

Humpback whale lunging clear of the water and falling forward with pectoral fins extended, a behavior known as a head slap.

Humpback whale raising fluke (tail) out of the water before making a dive.

Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw at the surface, swinging its fluke (tail) sideways and flinging water all over.

Humpback whale lunging out of the water at it reaches the surface, exhaling in a burst of bubbles.

Humpback whale calf breaching.

Humpback whale singing, underwater photo. It is thought that only male humpbacks sing. Hawaii. Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale (male) singing.

Humpback whale mother, calf (top), male escort (rear).

Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (dorsal aspect).

Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.

Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.

North Pacific humpback whale, male escort bubble streams alongside mother and calf. Hawaii. Megaptera novaeangliae.

North Pacific humpback whale, primary escort bubble trails alongside female amid competitive group.

Humpback whale (male) singing.

Humpback whale competitive group, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS.