Aerial Photo of blue whale mother and calf, Balaenoptera musculus

This image shows a blue whale pair likely composed of a mother and calf. Blue whale calves will accompany their mothers for approximately a year before being weaned. Female blue whales are larger than males, an adaptation enabling a mother to cope with the physical demands of calving and nursing.

Two blue whales, a mother and her calf, swim through the open ocean in this aerial photograph. The calf is blowing (spouting, exhaling) with a powerful column of spray. The blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on Earth. San Diego, California, USA

Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02304
Format: Film 2:3