Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

2025 Song of the Humpback Whale, Recorded Underwater in French Polynesia

I was able to spend time again this fall on the island of Moorea, near Tahiti in French Polynesia, to observe humpback whales. While photography was the main objective, I was on the lookout for opportunities to record whalesong as well. As in 2024, I am indebted to Pierre Serreli …

Phil CollaOctober 16, 2025

Humpback Whale

2024 Song of the Humpback Whale and Remembering Doctor Dan

While in Moorea watching whales Tracy and I were fortunate to spend several hours listening to humpback whale song. I experienced whale song many times in Hawaii although that was 20+ years ago so the experience was no longer fresh in my mind. Tracy had heard whalesong as well but…

Phil CollaDecember 27, 2024

Hawaii Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale Underwater Bubble Streaming Among Rowdy Groups in Hawaii

During the years I worked for Dan Salden and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation studying humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hawaii, we usually looked for surface active groups ("rowdy groups") when possible, since these groups offered the greatest potential for collecting the social affiliation information that was the focus of Dan's…

Phil CollaMay 7, 2016

Beautiful Views of San Diego Blue Whale Humpback Whale

Whale Triple Header: Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Del Mar, California

GREAT WHALE TRIPLEHEADER. What's that you say? Read on... This is a photograph of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) performing a peduncle throw (or "tail throw", or "tail lob"). The man who taught me most of what I know about whales, friend and whale researcher Dr. Dan Salden, often referred…

Phil CollaJanuary 17, 2013

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale Breaching Near San Diego

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are found throughout the worlds oceans, but seeing them near San Diego is somewhat unusual. Conventional wisdom has it that humpback whales in California are most often seen in the Channel Islands near Santa Barbara, as well as the central coast near Monterey Bay. However, if…

Phil CollaAugust 7, 2012

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale Fluke ID Identification Photos

It has been 10+ years since I last worked at making fluke ID photos, but it's just like riding a bike and one never forgets and I had some success at it yesterday. What is a "fluke ID photo" you ask? The underside (ventral surface) of the fluke (tail) of…

Phil CollaAugust 14, 2011

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Humpback Whales in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

As we sailed north from Neko Harbor to the South Shetland Islands, we came upon a large assemblage of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) feeding in the Gerlache Strait. They were on krill, as evidenced by the color of their waste, but the water was too rough to make out patches…

Phil CollaDecember 21, 2010

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Neko Harbor, Antarctica

Photos of Neko Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica I awoke this morning to find us in the calm anchorage of Paradise Bay. The water was glass, and bergs were slowly drifting by the boat, riding tidal currents. I set up a time lapse sequence on the stern of the boat and…

Phil CollaDecember 20, 2010

Antarctica Humpback Whale Southern Ocean

Cierva Cove, Antarctica

Photos of Cierva Cove, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica We begin our morning today in Cierva Cove, directly south from yesterday’s landing at Bailey Head on Deception Island. Cierva Cove is said to be a good location to see marine mammals. However, this morning the skies are dark and the air is…

Phil CollaSeptember 20, 2010

Hawaii Humpback Whale Icons Ocean Realm

Heat Run: Humpback Whale Behavior Photos

Humpback whale underwater photography. Originally titled "Heat Run", this appeared in Ocean Realm Magazine in April 1995, the first of a series of articles I authored for Ocean Realm in the '90s. This blog post is now available as a downloadable PDF article. Each winter North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera…

Phil CollaNovember 1, 2009

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale Pictures (Megaptera novaeangliae)

I was fortunate to assist Dr. Dan Salden of Hawaii Whale Research Foundation on the waters near Maui for quite a few years studying humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), and have some interesting photos that came from those efforts. North Pacific humpback whale, breach. Image ID: 00205 Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera…

Phil CollaAugust 5, 2009

Hawaii Humpback Whale Wildlife

Boat Strikes Humpback Whale

Some years ago, when I was assisting Dr. Dan Salden and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation during whale seaon in Hawaii, we came across a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) not far from Lahaina that showed considerable scarring, almost certainly from a boat strike. The most likely explanation for the series of…

Phil CollaMarch 8, 2009

Hawaii Humpback Whale Photo of the Day Wildlife

Photo of a Humpback Whale Peduncle Throw

Another example of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) peforming a peduncle throw. In this case, rather than flicking the fluke sideways, the whale has lifted its fluke and peduncle vertically, slinging water in all directions. Notice the rake marks on the underside of the whales fluke, which are almost certainly…

Phil CollaDecember 3, 2007

Hawaii Humpback Whale Photo of the Day Wildlife

Photo of a Humpback Whale Tail Throw

Here we see a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) peforming a tail throw, also known as a peduncle throw or tail lob. While at the surface, the whale pivots around its long pectoral fins, suddenly flicking its powerful fluke and peducle out of the water while dipping its rostrum. This behaviour…

Phil CollaDecember 2, 2007

Hawaii Humpback Whale Photo of the Day Wildlife

Photo of a Humpback Whale Singing

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) singing, Hawaii. This was shot under research permit as part of the research activities of the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation. It is virtually certain that only male humpback whales sing since genetic sampling of singers has never revealed a female. This one was hanging motionless…

Phil CollaFebruary 11, 2007

Hawaii Humpback Whale Underwater Life Wildlife

Photos of Humpback Whale Bubble Displays

Humpback whales are famous for their use of bubbles to "net" prey, especially in Alaska where coordinated bubble netting among groups of humpback whales is often seen. However, humpbacks also commonly use bubble displays and air releases in their social interactions in warm waters. It is thought the these bubble…

Phil CollaJune 23, 2005

Environmental Problems Humpback Whale Marine Life Ocean Sunfish

Photos of Boat Strikes of Marine Animals

Boat strikes of marine animals are increasingly common, for obvious reasons. It is disappointing to observe a marine animal severely or mortally wounded by a collision with a boat. We have encountered several marine animals bearing unmistakable boat propeller scars: North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from…

Phil CollaMarch 8, 2005

Hawaii Humpback Whale

Photos of Humpback Whale Pectoral Fin Displays

Humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, are known for displaying a wide range of surface behaviors (i.e., behaviors seen from above water), such as breaching, head lunging, tail lobbing and spyhopping. Among these behaviors, pectoral fin displays are some of the most interesting. Humpback whales have the longest pectoral fins of all…

Phil CollaFebruary 11, 2005

2025 Song of the Humpback Whale, Recorded Underwater in French Polynesia

2024 Song of the Humpback Whale and Remembering Doctor Dan

Humpback Whale Underwater Bubble Streaming Among Rowdy Groups in Hawaii

Whale Triple Header: Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Del Mar, California

Humpback Whale Breaching Near San Diego

Humpback Whale Fluke ID Identification Photos

Humpback Whales in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

Neko Harbor, Antarctica

Cierva Cove, Antarctica

Heat Run: Humpback Whale Behavior Photos

Humpback Whale Pictures (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Boat Strikes Humpback Whale

Photo of a Humpback Whale Peduncle Throw

Photo of a Humpback Whale Tail Throw

Photo of a Humpback Whale Singing

Photos of Humpback Whale Bubble Displays

Photos of Boat Strikes of Marine Animals

Photos of Humpback Whale Pectoral Fin Displays

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