Humpback Whale Photos, Megaptera novaeangliae

Beautiful Underwater Photos of Humpback Whales, including Humpback Whale Research Pictures

Natural history stock photographs of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, in Hawaii, California, Alaska and Antarctica. Humpback whale research and behavior images from Hawaii by permission of NOAA and State of Hawaii scientific research permit.

North Pacific humpback whales, a mother and calf pair swim closely together just under the surface of the ocean.  The calf will remain with its mother for about a year, migrating from Hawaii to Alaska to feed on herring, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whales, a mother and calf pair swim closely together just under the surface of the ocean. The calf will remain with its mother for about a year, migrating from Hawaii to Alaska to feed on herring.
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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.
Humpback whale breaching with pectoral fins lifting spray from the ocean surface, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Gerlache Strait
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.
Water falling from the fluke (tail) of a humpback whale as the whale dives to forage for food in the Santa Barbara Channel, Megaptera novaeangliae, Santa Rosa Island, California
Water falling from the fluke (tail) of a humpback whale as the whale dives to forage for food in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Humpback whale mother, calf (top), male escort (rear), underwater.  A young humpback calf typically swims alongside or above its mother, and male escorts will usually travel behind the mother, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale mother, calf (top), male escort (rear), underwater. A young humpback calf typically swims alongside or above its mother, and male escorts will usually travel behind the mother.
Adult male humpback whale bubble streaming underwater.  The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims behind a female (left) during a competitive group.  The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other male whales interested in the mother, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Adult male humpback whale bubble streaming underwater. The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims behind a female (left) during a competitive group. The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other male whales interested in the mother.
Adult male humpback whale bubble streaming underwater.  The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims behind a mother and calf.  The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby male whales interested in the mother, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Adult male humpback whale bubble streaming underwater. The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims behind a mother and calf. The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby male whales interested in the mother.
North Pacific humpback whale, escort in competitive group makes fast close pass, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale, escort in competitive group makes fast close pass.
A humpback whale raises it fluke out of the water, the coast of Del Mar and La Jolla is visible in the distance, Megaptera novaeangliae
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 showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge.  This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale.
Humpback whale breaching, pectoral fin and rostrom visible, Megaptera novaeangliae, San Diego, California
Humpback whale breaching, pectoral fin and rostrom visible.
North Pacific humpback whale, peduncle throw, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale, peduncle throw.
Humpback whale breaching, pectoral fin and rostrom visible, Megaptera novaeangliae, San Diego, California
Humpback whale breaching, pectoral fin and rostrom visible.
Adult male humpback whale singing, suspended motionless underwater.  Only male humpbacks have been observed singing.  All humpbacks in the North Pacific sing the same whale song each year, and the song changes slightly from one year to the next, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Adult male humpback whale singing, suspended motionless underwater. Only male humpbacks have been observed singing. All humpbacks in the North Pacific sing the same whale song each year, and the song changes slightly from one year to the next.
Humpback whale competitive group, underwater, swimming quickly and one trailing a stream of bubbles, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale competitive group, underwater, swimming quickly and one trailing a stream of bubbles.
Adult male humpback whale bubble streaming underwater.  The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims behind a mother and calf.  The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby male whales interested in the mother, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Adult male humpback whale bubble streaming underwater. The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims behind a mother and calf. The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby male whales interested in the mother.
North Pacific humpback whales, part of a larger competitive group of humpbacks, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whales, part of a larger competitive group of humpbacks.
A humpback whale raises it fluke out of the water, the coast of Del Mar and La Jolla is visible in the distance, Megaptera novaeangliae
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale, peduncle throw.
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, 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, with mouth open and baleen visible.  The humbpack's pink 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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Gerlache Strait
Humpback whale lunge feeding on Antarctic krill, with mouth open and baleen visible. The humbpack's pink 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 competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group.
North Pacific humpback whales, socializing trio of adults, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whales, socializing trio of adults.
North Pacific humpback whales, a mother and young calf swim near scientific research divers, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whales, a mother and young calf swim near scientific research divers.
Humpback whale competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group.
Humpback whale in Antarctica.  A humpback whale swims through the beautiful ice-filled waters of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback whale in Antarctica. A humpback whale swims through the beautiful ice-filled waters of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.
Humpback whale male escort emits a stream of bubbles during competitive group socializing.  The whale is swimming so fast that the bubbles pass back alongside the whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale male escort emits a stream of bubbles during competitive group socializing. The whale is swimming so fast that the bubbles pass back alongside the whale.
Large competitive group of humpback whales, eleven adult humpback whales seen in this image, part of a 16 whale competitive group, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Large competitive group of humpback whales, eleven adult humpback whales seen in this image, part of a 16 whale competitive group.
North Pacific humpback whale, head standing near surface, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale, head standing near surface.
Male North Pacific humpback whale streams a trail of bubbles.  The primary male escort whale (center) creates a curtain of bubbles underwater as it swims behind a female (right), with other challenging males trailing behind in a competitive group.  The bubbles may be a form of intimidation from the primary escort towards the challenging escorts, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Male North Pacific humpback whale streams a trail of bubbles. The primary male escort whale (center) creates a curtain of bubbles underwater as it swims behind a female (right), with other challenging males trailing behind in a competitive group. The bubbles may be a form of intimidation from the primary escort towards the challenging escorts.
Humpback whale, abandoned calf alongside University of Hawaii research boat.  This young calf lived only a few days after being abandoned or separated from its mother, and was eventually attacked by tiger sharks, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale, abandoned calf alongside University of Hawaii research boat. This young calf lived only a few days after being abandoned or separated from its mother, and was eventually attacked by tiger sharks.
Hawaiian humpback whale underwater, sun beams dappling the whale in clear oceanic waters, Maui
Hawaiian humpback whale underwater, sun beams dappling the whale in clear oceanic waters.
Adult male north Pacific humpback whale bubble streaming underwater in the midst of a competitive group.   The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims closely behind a female, .  The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby males interested in the female, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Adult male north Pacific humpback whale bubble streaming underwater in the midst of a competitive group. The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims closely behind a female, . The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby males interested in the female.
North Pacific humpback whale raising its fluke before diving underwater to forage for herring in southeast Alaska, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale raising its fluke before diving underwater to forage for herring in southeast Alaska.
Humpback whale breaching, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale breaching.
Primary escort male humpback whale bubble streaming during competitive group socializing.  This primary escort is swimming behind a female. The bubble curtain may be a form of intimidation towards other male escorts that are interested in the female, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Primary escort male humpback whale bubble streaming during competitive group socializing. This primary escort is swimming behind a female. The bubble curtain may be a form of intimidation towards other male escorts that are interested in the female.
North Pacific humpback whales, competitive group, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whales, competitive group.
Southern humpback whale in Antarctica, lifting its fluke (tail) before diving in Cierva Cove, Antarctica, Megaptera novaeangliae
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae
Humpback whale in Antarctica. A humpback whale swims through the beautiful ice-filled waters of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.
Scarring of this humpback whale's fluke allow researchers to identify this particular whale from season to season, Megaptera novaeangliae, Santa Rosa Island, California
Scarring of this humpback whale's fluke allow researchers to identify this particular whale from season to season.
Perfect view of the ventral surface of a humpback whales fluke, as the whale raises its fluke just before diving underwater.  The white patches and scalloping along the trailing edge of the fluke make this whale identifiable when it is observed from year to year, Megaptera novaeangliae, Santa Rosa Island, California
Perfect view of the ventral surface of a humpback whales fluke, as the whale raises its fluke just before diving underwater. The white patches and scalloping along the trailing edge of the fluke make this whale identifiable when it is observed from year to year.
Humpback whale blowhole, showing twin nares (nostrils) which have a few small parasites clinging to the whale's skin around the blowhole openings, Megaptera novaeangliae, Santa Rosa Island, California
Humpback whale blowhole, showing twin nares (nostrils) which have a few small parasites clinging to the whale's skin around the blowhole openings.
Humpback whale competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group.
North Pacific humpback whale underwater, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale underwater.
Humpback whale holding fluke (tail) aloft out of the water, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale holding fluke (tail) aloft out of the water.
Humpback whales at the surface, volcano and clouds, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whales at the surface, volcano and clouds.
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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), Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (ventral aspect).
Humpback whale surface active group including head lunge and two fluke swipes, whale watching boat, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale surface active group including head lunge and two fluke swipes, whale watching boat.
Humpback whale competitive group, surfacing and blowing, Megaptera novaeangliae, Molokai
Humpback whale competitive group, surfacing and blowing.
Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw at the surface, swinging its fluke (tail) sideways and flinging water all over, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui, San Diego, Hawaii
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whale rounds out near observers.
North Pacific humpback whales, competitive group exhaling at the surface, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
North Pacific humpback whales, competitive group exhaling at the surface.
Humpback whale performing a head slap, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale performing a head slap.
Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale performing a peduncle throw.
Humpback whale swimming inverted with both pectoral fin raised clear of the water, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale swimming inverted with both pectoral fin raised clear of the water.
Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (dorsal aspect), Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (dorsal aspect).
Humpback whale fluking up, ventral aspect of fluke visible, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale fluking up, ventral aspect of fluke visible.
Humpback whale fluking up, raising tail before diving, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale fluking up, raising tail before diving.
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive, Megaptera novaeangliae, Frederick Sound
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale lunging out of the water at it reaches the surface, exhaling in a burst of bubbles.
Humpback whale calf breaching, Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale calf breaching.
Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (dorsal aspect), Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
Humpback whale swimming with raised pectoral fin (dorsal aspect).
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive, Megaptera novaeangliae, Frederick Sound
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive, Megaptera novaeangliae, Frederick Sound
Humpback whale raising its fluke (tail) prior to a dive.