Search results for Courtship

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Copulating Pair of Southern Right Whales, aerial photo.The male is at left, female at right, and the female's calf at upper right. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA, Eubalaena australis, Puerto Piramides
Copulating Pair of Southern Right Whales, aerial photo.The male is at left, female at right, and the female's calf at upper right. By permission of the Government of Argentina, Chubut, permit # 51 / 2025-SsCyA.
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina
Image ID: 41219  
Courting Trio of Gray Whales, Aerial Photo, San Diego. Courtship during the southern migration, far to the north of the Mexican lagoons of Baja California where most gray whale births take place, Eschrichtius robustus
Courting Trio of Gray Whales, Aerial Photo, San Diego. Courtship during the southern migration, far to the north of the Mexican lagoons of Baja California where most gray whale births take place.
Species: Gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus
Image ID: 41518  
Courtship group of six Southern right whales, Eubalaena australis, Argentina, Eubalaena australis, Puerto Piramides, Chubut
Courtship group of six Southern right whales, Eubalaena australis, Argentina.
Species: Southern right whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina
Image ID: 35915  
Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second. The grebe on the left is "Hook" famous for the fishing hook and line embedded in the back of his head, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second. The grebe on the left is "Hook" famous for the fishing hook and line embedded in the back of his head.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 40843  
Extreme closeup view of a Western Grebe as it rushes, running across the water as part of an elaborate courtship behavior, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Extreme closeup view of a Western Grebe as it rushes, running across the water as part of an elaborate courtship behavior.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 40845  
Two Western Grebes in a Spectacular Rush Across the Surface of Lake Wohlford. Rushing is a courtship behavior among grebes and requires the aquatic birds to step as rapidly as 20 beats per second to walk across water in this way. Simply amazing, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Two Western Grebes in a Spectacular Rush Across the Surface of Lake Wohlford. Rushing is a courtship behavior among grebes and requires the aquatic birds to step as rapidly as 20 beats per second to walk across water in this way. Simply amazing.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 40868  
Two Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Two Western Grebes Walk on Water. Grebe rushing, a courtship behavior, happens when the birds slap the lake surface up to 20 times per second, literally running across the water.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 40889  
Western Grebe rushes across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic bird literally runs across the surface of the water while its feet hit the water up to 20 times per second, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Western Grebe rushes across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic bird literally runs across the surface of the water while its feet hit the water up to 20 times per second.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 41539  
Double-crested cormorant nuptial crests, tufts of feathers on each side of the head, plumage associated with courtship and mating, Phalacrocorax auritus, La Jolla, California
Double-crested cormorant nuptial crests, tufts of feathers on each side of the head, plumage associated with courtship and mating.
Species: Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 36847  
Three Western Grebes Rushing on Lake Hodges, Aechmophorus occidentalis, San Diego, California
Three Western Grebes Rushing on Lake Hodges.
Species: Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Hodges, San Diego, California
Image ID: 36779  
Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, a Courtship Display, La Jolla, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Male Brandt's Cormorant Skypointing, a Courtship Display, La Jolla.
Species: Brandt's cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 37441  
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.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 02802  
Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Western Grebes rushing across Lake Wohlford, exhibiting a spectacular courtship behavior in which the aquatic birds literally run across the surface of the water while their feet hit the water up to 20 times per second.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 41545  
Clarks Grebes, courting pair, Lake Hodges, Aechmophorus clarkii, San Diego, California
Clarks Grebes, courting pair, Lake Hodges.
Species: Clarks grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii
Location: Lake Hodges, San Diego, California
Image ID: 36881  
Maasai Giraffe, two males in courtship combat, jousting, Olare Orok Conservancy, Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi
Maasai Giraffe, two males in courtship combat, jousting, Olare Orok Conservancy.
Species: Masai giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi
Location: Olare Orok Conservancy, Kenya
Image ID: 30069  
A bull elephant seal forceably mates (copulates) with a much smaller female, often biting her into submission and using his weight to keep her from fleeing. Males may up to 5000 lbs, triple the size of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California, Mirounga angustirostris, Piedras Blancas, San Simeon
A bull elephant seal forceably mates (copulates) with a much smaller female, often biting her into submission and using his weight to keep her from fleeing. Males may up to 5000 lbs, triple the size of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 20388  
Western Grebes rushing on Lake Wohlford, running across the water by slapping their feet rapidly, part of the grebe's elaborate courtship, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Western Grebes rushing on Lake Wohlford, running across the water by slapping their feet rapidly, part of the grebe's elaborate courtship.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 41707  
Western Grebes rushing on Lake Wohlford, running across the water by slapping their feet rapidly, part of the grebe's elaborate courtship, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Western Grebes rushing on Lake Wohlford, running across the water by slapping their feet rapidly, part of the grebe's elaborate courtship.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 41708  
Western Grebes rushing on Lake Wohlford, running across the water by slapping their feet rapidly, part of the grebe's elaborate courtship, Aechmophorus occidentalis, Escondido, California
Western Grebes rushing on Lake Wohlford, running across the water by slapping their feet rapidly, part of the grebe's elaborate courtship.
Species: Western Grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis
Location: Lake Wohlford, Escondido, California
Image ID: 41709  
El Copulador, a well known male southern right whale in Argentina. El Copulador, "The Copulator", is a serious player in the southern right whale mating game. He was a white calf and, while most white calves darked to near-black as they age, El Copulador has retained a distinctly light coloration. He is often seen in mating and courtship groups and has likely successfully mated with many females over the years, Eubalaena australis, Puerto Piramides, Chubut
El Copulador, a well known male southern right whale in Argentina. El Copulador, "The Copulator", is a serious player in the southern right whale mating game. He was a white calf and, while most white calves darked to near-black as they age, El Copulador has retained a distinctly light coloration. He is often seen in mating and courtship groups and has likely successfully mated with many females over the years.
Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina
Image ID: 38437  
Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California and form courtship and mating aggregations, Stereolepis gigas
Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California and form courtship and mating aggregations.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39440  
Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California and form courtship and mating aggregations, Stereolepis gigas
Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California and form courtship and mating aggregations.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39441  
Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California and form courtship and mating aggregations, Stereolepis gigas
Two Giant Black Sea Bass in a Courtship Posture, in Kelp at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California and form courtship and mating aggregations.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39444  
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.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 02813  
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.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 02855  
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 (barely seen in the distance), Megaptera novaeangliae, Maui
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 (barely seen in the distance).
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 04434  
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 during competitive group activities. The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby male whales interested in the female, 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 during competitive group activities. The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby male whales interested in the female.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 04444  
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.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05968  
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.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05999  
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.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 06037  
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