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Marine Life | Sri Lanka

149 images Created 8 Feb 2013

Photographs of marine life in Sri Lanka, including blue whales, sperm whales, Bryde's whales, manta rays, sea turtles

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  • This is an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) raising her fluke just prior to diving down to forage for food.
    sperm-whale-fluke-sri-lanka-201703-2...tif
  • A white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) in flight off the coast of northeast Sri Lanka with a fish grasped in its talons
    white-bellied-sea-eagle-haliaeetus-l...tif
  • Indian Ocean blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica) swimming into the blue. From this angle the substantial width of the fluke is apparent, and some of the whale’s musculature that powers the fluke is also visible.
    blue-whale-balaenoptera-musculus-ind...tif
  • Pictured here are twelve members of a social unit of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) moving slowly along at a depth of 20m for the whale in the foreground. These whales, most likely all adult females, were relaxed and resting, as evidenced by the closed eye of the whale in the foreground, and the relaxed body language of all the animals. Tactile contact among social unit members, as visible here, is common during group activity.
    sperm-whale-social-unit-resting-2017...tif
  • Rear view of a short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in blue water
    short-finned-pilot-whale-globicephal...tif
  • A spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping exceptionally high into the air multiple times, demonstrating incredible power and athleticism
    spinner-dolphin-leaping-high-into-ai...tif
  • Three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) lined up in formation while resting between foraging dives
    sperm-whales-formation-while-resting...tif
  • This is an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) slapping the surface of the ocean with her fluke. She reacted immediately when a person entered the water and tried to approach her and other members of her social unit. The whales were resting, and it was clear that they did not wish to be disturbed. Worse still, other people subsequently entered the water as well. Ecotourism has been a catchall term that connotes a positive activity, but interactions with wild animals like this need to be regulated with proper enforcement by knowledgeable people. Otherwise ecotourism can be a damaging activity, sacrificing the welfare of wildlife for the sake of profit.
    sperm-whale-slapping-fluke-in-respon...tif
  • Whereas baleen whales have two exterior nostrils (called blowholes), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) have a single blowhole on the left side of their heads. The other nostril has been modified into an internal organ called the phonic lip that produces the clicks and other sounds that these whales use for communication and echolocation.
    sperm-whale-blowhole-201703-1222.tif
  • Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) launching itself out of the water.
    spinner-dolphin-flying-stenella-long...tif
  • Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping into the air on a sunny day
    spinner-dolphin-stenella-longirostri...tif
  • A composite image depicting a spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) engaged in the spinning manoeuvre for which these energetic cetaceans are famous.
    spinner-dolphin-spinning-sri-lanka-2...tif
  • A male spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping out of the water. The protruding tip of the dolphin’s penis is just visible.
    spinner-dolphin-leaping-in-air-stene...tif
  • Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) juvenile surfacing next to its mother
    spinner-dolphin-juvenile-with-mom-st...tif
  • Juvenile spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) surfacing next to its mother
    spinner-dolphin-juvenile-with-mother...tif
  • A young spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping out of the water while swimming alongside its mother. Young dolphins typically swim next to their mothers in this manner.
    spinner-dolphin-mother-calf-sri-lank...tif
  • Close-up view of defecation by an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Defecation at the surface is routine behavior for sperm whales. Defecation is an indication that the whale has been feeding successfully.
    sperm-whale-defecation-close-up-2016...tif
  • Female Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) with her calf.
    brydes-whale-female-with-calf-balaen...tif
  • Mature sperm whale bull (Physeter macrocephalus) in the foreground with adult females visible in the background. This male was 15-16m in length. Though he approached females in the vicinity continually and persistently, the females did not exhibit interest. On this one occasion, he was associated with seven females, six of which are visible here, though the females left him shortly after this photograph was taken. Note the parallel scars on the male’s head, indiciative of encounters with other mature males.
    sperm-whale-mature-bull-with-females...tif
  • Profile of a pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) commencing a dive to forage for food
    blue-whale-balaenoptera-musculus-bre...tif
  • My friend holding up fresh pygmy blue whale defecation. The brilliant orange-red color of the blue whale poop derives from krill diet of the cetacean.
    ron-leidich-holding-blue-whale-defec...tif
  • Dorsal view of a female and calf Bryde’s whale pair (Balaenoptera edeni). Note that Bryde's whales in this area seem to have few cookie cutter scars, in contrast with those in most other locations.
    brydes-whale-mother-calf-dorsal-view...tif
  • Fluke of a diving pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) with several remoras attached.
    blue-whale-fluke-with-remoras-201502...tif
  • Dorsal view of a pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda)
    pygmy-blue-whale-dorsal-view-201502-...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) cruising at the ocean surface on a sunny day
    sperm-whale-adult-female-physeter-ma...tif
  • Bryde’s whale defecating (Balaenoptera edeni) after coming up from feeding
    brydes-whale-defecating-201502-2100.tif
  • Ventral view of an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the ocean surface with her mouth slightly open. From this angle, the pockets in her upper jaw are clearly visible. Sperm whales have teeth only in their lower jaws. The pockets are where her teeth fit in.
    sperm-whale-adult-female-ventral-vie...tif
  • This is an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the ocean surface, with other members of her social unit visible in the background.
    sperm-whale-physeter-macrocephalus-o...tif
  • A group of socializing sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). The whale in the foreground is male, with his penis extended. Though difficult to assess from this perspective, the male is substantially larger than the accompanying females.
    sperm-whales-socializing-male-with-p...tif
  • A tiny sperm whale calf, less than two meters long, which was allowed to play by itself. The family was nearby, foraging for food. This little female swam over, played for a while, at one point placing her fluke on my head, then went back to her family. Though texts state that sperm whales are born at 4.5 meters, this one was only slightly longer than I was with my freediving fins, meaning slightly more than two meters in length. The developing mammary slits are visible in this image, as are the white streaks on her abdomen, which can be used to identify individual whales.
    sperm-whale-calf-female-201402-2664.tif
  • Tiny female sperm whale calf (Physeter macrocephalus), which was allowed to play by itself. This calf's family was in the immediate vicinity socializing and foraging for food, but the calf was allowed to wander off and explore. It was inquisitive and approached several times. In this photo, the calf has placed its fluke gently on my head. We swam together like this, calf resting her fluke on my head. Of note, the calf was approximately two meters long, which is considerably smaller than the usually assumed birth size of four meters or more for sperm whale calves.
    fluke-underside-baby-sperm-whale-201...tif
  • Tiny female sperm whale calf (Physeter macrocephalus), which was allowed to play by itself. This calf's family was in the immediate vicinity socializing and foraging for food, but the calf was allowed to wander off and explore. It was inquisitive and approached several times. In this photo, the calf has placed its fluke gently on my head. We swam together like this, calf resting her fluke on my head. Of note, the calf was approximately two meters long, which is considerably smaller than the usually assumed birth size of four meters or more for sperm whale calves.
    fluke-underside-baby-sperm-whale-fem...tif
  • A very small female sperm whale calf (Physeter macrocephalus). This calf's family was in the immediate vicinity socializing and foraging for food, but the calf was allowed to wander off and explore by itself. It was inquisitive and approached several times, placing its fluke gently on my head at one point. Of note, the calf was approximately two meters long, which is considerably smaller than the usually assumed birth size of four meters or more for sperm whale calves.
    sperm-whale-calf-female-very-small-2...tif
  • A friendly adult sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) hanging just below the ocean surface, with two other members of her family group just visible in the image, one below, the faint shadow of one swimming away at the top right. Note the whitened area around the whale's mouth, which is typical of sperm whales, and also the teeth of the lower jaw. Sperm whales generally do not have teeth in their upper jaws.
    sperm-whale-female-physeter-macrocep...tif
  • Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) diving into the blue, with pelagic fish (likely yellowfin tuna or similar open ocean predatory species) visible in the background
    pygmy-blue-whale-balaenoptera-muscul...tif
  • A krill specimen that was spit out by a blue whale I was with. As depicted here, the krill was about the size of my little finger. The blue whale had just come up from deeper water, where it was likely feeding.
    krill-from-blue-whale-sri-lanka-2015...tif
  • A relatively large krill specimen that was spit out by a blue whale I was with. The whale had just come up from deeper water, where it was likely feeding.
    krill-from-blue-whale-sri-lanka-2015...tif
  • An enormous mature bull sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) approaching 20m in length. This imposing bull approached to within two to three meters from me. At this proximity, the whale clanged loudly, which caused my ear canals to clear, as if I had executed a Valsalva maneuver. The mature male was associated with a group of females, at one point surfacing adjacent to a mature female. The male easily exceeded 1.5x the length of the female. Note the substantial scarring on the whale’s forehead, likely indicative of interactions with other males.
    enormous-mature-bull-sperm-whale-sri...tif
  • Part of a squid dropped by a sperm whale. From the size, shape and shape of the clubs on the feeding tentacles, my guess is that this is the remnants  of a sharpear enope squid (Ancistrocheirus lesueuri), a mesopelagic squid that sperm whales feed upon in the southern hemisphere.
    ancistrocheirus-lesueuri-sharpear-en...tif
  • This is a dead mature female Ancistrocheirus lesueuri squid, which is a mesopelagic cephalopod living in the range of 200 to 1000 meters depth. This specimen was found at the surface, floating upside down as pictured here. There are photophores visible on the ventral surface (facing up) and hooks on both clubs of the feeding tentacles. This squid is an important part of the diet of sperm whales in the southern hemisphere. There were many sperm whales in the area when this was photographed. This species is ammoniacal, meaning it stores ammonia ions in the arms, head and mantle tissue for buoyancy. Why this specimen would only float upside-down is unclear. Perhaps the ammonia (which is lighter than sea water) was the cause. This specimen was 40cm to 45cm.
    ancistrocheirus-lesueuri-sharpear-en...tif
  • Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera brydei) defecation, photographed in the Indian Ocean a few seconds after the whale passed, leaving a long trail of feces. The orange-red color likely derives from a diet of krill.
    brydes-whale-defecation-balaenoptera...tif
  • A family of twelve sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity, with a lot of rubbing against one another, resulting in sloughing off of skin.
    sperm-whale-family-socializing-physe...tif
  • Inquisitive sperm whale calf (Physeter macrocephalus) approaching with mouth open and buzzing me with bio-sonar. This calf was part of a family unit that had three juvenile whales in it. The family unit was one of many that gathered for a large social event comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands of sperm whales. This image is licensed on an exclusive basis to BBC through 29 October 2021.
    sperm-whale-family-unit-juvenile-mou...tif
  • This is a small social unit, or perhaps part of a social unit, of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). There were three young whales in the group. Pictured here is one of the young whales, around seven to eight meters in length, taking an interest in me, with the other members of the social unit visible in the background.
    sperm-whale-social-unit-inquisitive-...tif
  • Profile view of an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
    sperm-whale-female-adult-profile-201...tif
  • A friendly family of sperm whales, comprising several adult females and three juveniles. The prominent white stripes on the ventral surface of the adult in the forefront made it relatively easy to distinguish this family unit from the many dozens of others gathered in the area for socialization. Note the pectoral fin of the adult in the forefront. The bone structure, resembling the bones in a human hand, is clearly visible.
    sperm-whale-family-unit-sri-lanka-20...tif
  • My friend Daya holding a small squid arm that I recovered from a group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that had been foraging for food. The pieces of squid brought up by sperm whales in this area all seem to indicate relatively small prey.
    small-squid-arm-recovered-from-sperm...tif
  • Family of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. Sperm whales are very tactile, as can be seen here with the whales rubbing against one another. This group had three juvenile whales among them.
    social-group-family-sperm-whales-ind...tif
  • This is a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) defecating while hanging in a vertical position.
    sperm-whale-defecating-vertical-2014...tif
  • Aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. These whales were part of much larger gathering comprising hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. The large aggregation persisted for two days.
    sperm-whale-aggregation-201402-1342.tif
  • Aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands, gathered in all directions as far as the eye could see. Most were adult females, though there were some large males present, as well as juveniles. The whales fed intermittently, but also spent substantial time at the surface and in shallow water socializing.
    large-aggregation-sperm-whales-socia...tif
  • A large aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. Note the abundance of sloughed off skin in the water, resulting from tactile contact among the whales. Peeling skin is apparent on the individuals in the center of this image. Note also the cloud of defecation. These whales had just emerged from milling around in a gigantic cluster, with many of the whales defecating to such an extent that the water was opaque. This photograph was the winner of the Behaviour: Mammals category of the 53rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in 2017 (#WPY53) organized by the Natural History Museum in London.
    superpod-aggregation-sperm-whales-de...tif
  • Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) defecating while engaged in a massive social gathering comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands, of individuals. Defecation like this is common in sperm whale social gatherings, as is shedding of skin as seen here.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • A dense group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were part of a massive social gathering of hundreds of individuals. As shown here, sperm whales seem to defecate frequently when they are at the surface, especially during intense social activity. The whales' defecation and other bodily excretions imparted an oily consistency to the seawater, as can be seen here, backlit by the low light of the late-afternoon sun. Besides socializing in this manner, the large gathering of sperm whales were also foraging for food in between bouts of surface activity.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • Large cluster of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were part of an enormous superpod gathering comprising hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. As is typical of sperm whale social activity, there was a lot of tactile contact accompanied by biosonar clicking, with sloughing of skin, defecation, passing of gas. The water was milky white and oily from the activity.
    sperm-whale-superpod-physeter-macroc...tif
  • Part of an enormous social gathering comprising hundreds of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) over many square kilometers. This group comprised dozens of individuals that were busy clicking, blowing bubbles, rubbing their bodies against one another, diving to forage for food, and defecating continuously.
    sperm-whale-social-group-physeter-ma...tif
  • Female olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) recovering at the surface after being cut free from entanglement in a very large ghost fishing net in the Indian Ocean. After we cut the lines and released her, she swam toward me, letting me stroke her shell as she regained her composure. Her swimming was weak, particularly her rear left flipper, which had been the most entangled part of her body. She was eventually able to dive beyond visible depth.
    olive-ridley-turtle-after-being-free...tif
  • Female olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) entangled in a very large ghost fishing net in the Indian Ocean. Multiple lines were wrapped around her shell and left rear flipper. We were fortunately able to cut the lines and release her. Though obviously weary and exhausted, she was eventually able to dive, after resting at the surface for an extended period. She swam toward me, letting me stroke her shell as she regained her composure. Her swimming was weak, particularly her rear left flipper, but she was able to dive beyond visible depth.
    olive-ridley-turtle-entangled-fishin...tif
  • Close-up view of the fluke of a pygmy blue whale. I had nine consecutive encounters with this inquisitive whale. During a couple of the encounters, the whale allowed me to swim along with it and even directly above it as if I were a remora. I was only able to do this because the whale slowed down to let me keep pace as it swam along at minimal speed near the surface. This was a mature whale, length exceeding 20 meters.
    blue-whale-fluke-underwater-close-up...tif
  • Pictured here is a pair of olive ridley turtles (Lepidocheyls olivacea) engaged in mating.
    lepidocheyls-olivacea-olive-ridley-t...tif
  • This was a young, relatively friendly blue whale. Over the course of several hours, this whale approached the boat I was in seven times when it surfaced from feeding in deeper water. From this angle, the whale’s powerful, well-muscled caudal region is visible. The whale’s flexibility and sinuous S-curve swimming motion is also apparent.
    blue-whale-caudal-musculature-sinuou...tif
  • This is a friendly blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica) that approached the boat each time it surfaced after a twenty to thirty minute foraging dive. In total, I had seven in-water encounters with this blue whale over several hours, ending only because it was getting late and we had to head back to port.
    blue-whale-balaenoptera-musculus-ind...tif
  • This is a view of olive ridley turtle (Lepidocheyls olivacea) copulation from beneath the turtles. The male has inserted his penis (which is situated in his tail) into the female's cloaca to inseminate her.
    lepidocheyls-olivacea-olive-ridley-t...tif
  • This is the first verified record of a living humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the waters of Sri Lanka. This juvenile male was eight to nine meters in length and alone, sighted south of Mirissa. The whale traveled past Dondra Head and headed east along the coast. A comparison of the fluke with records the non-migratory humpback population in Oman did not result in a match. There is no obvious place where this humpback whale could have come from or have been going to.
    first-record-humpback-whale-sri-lank...tif
  • This is the first verified sighting of a living humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Sri Lanka. This 8-9m juvenile male was alone, swimming from west to east just south of Mirissa. It was inquisitive and interactive, approaching the boat and taking time to play before heading past Dondra Head, then eastward along the coast. A comparison of this whale’s fluke with those of the resident population of humpbacks around Oman did not result in a match. Where this humpback came from and where it was going are a mystery.
    first-verified-humpback-whale-sighti...tif
  • Small krill species that was schooling in large aggregations in relatively shallow water off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Blue whales and Bryde’s whales frequent these waters and feed in the area. I do not know whether they consume this particular species.
    small-krill-species-sri-lanka-201502...tif
  • Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) commencing a dive. Note the muscularity powering the whale’s fluke, and the visibility of the rib structure. Classification of Bryde’s whales is difficult and uncertain due to insufficient study and information.
    balaenoptera-edeni-brydes-whale-2013...tif
  • Mature Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) diving down to forage for food. This whale had an injury to the left lobe of its fluke, perhaps resulting from an attack when it was younger. The whale also had a prominent notch in the trailing edge of its dorsal fin, and an injury on its dorsal surface on the left side of its dorsal fin. These markings make it easy to identify this whale.
    brydes-whale-injured-fluke-balaenopt...tif
  • Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in blue water, photographed in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
    brydes-whale-balaenoptera-edeni-sri-...tif
  • Dorsal fin of a large Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) exhibiting the characteristic hooked shape of this species. This particular whale has a small notch on the trailing edge of its dorsal fin, making it easy to recognize. Note also the injury on the dorsal surface. The whale was also missing the left tip of its fluke, perhaps from an attack earlier in its life.
    brydes-whale-balaenoptera-edeni-trin...tif
  • Head-on view of approaching adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), with the whale's blowhole clearly visible on the top left side of the cetacean's head
    sperm-whale-head-on-view-physeter-ma...tif
  • Dorsal surface of an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) that has surfaced to breathe from its single blowhole, visible on the top left of the whale's head.
    sperm-whale-dorsal-surface-physeter-...tif
  • Eight female adult sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) moving in formation. These whales were part of a larger gathering comprising 30 to 40 individuals. A mature male of approximately 16 to 18 meters in length joined these females from time to time, perhaps seeking opportunities to mate.
    group-of-eight-sperm-whales-physeter...tif
  • Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) surfacing to breathe in close proximity to a large commercial container vessel traveling at speed in the commercial shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean south of Sri Lanka. Overlap of cetacean feeding and activity grounds with commercial shipping lanes is a global issue that needs to be addressed. The potential for lethal collisions between ships and whales is high.
    sperm-whales-commercial-shipping-lan...tif
  • Dorsal fin of an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), with the rounded shape characteristic of the dorsal fins of this species.
    sperm-whale-dorsal-fin-physeter-macr...tif
  • Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) commencing its descent to forage for krill in the Indian Ocean, south of Sri Lanka.
    blue-whale-balaenoptera-musculus-bre...tif
  • Some of the prime feeding areas for blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) in waters of Sri Lanka coincide with commercial shipping lanes that pass to the south of the country, which are among the most heavily trafficked in the world. This overlap of cetacean foraging territory and commercial shipping traffic creates the potential for lethal ship strikes.
    blue-whale-shipping-lane-sri-lanka-b...tif
  • The shipping lanes south of Sri Lanka are among the busiest in the world. Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) and other cetaceans often congregate in these shipping lanes to feed on krill below. The potential for lethal ship strikes is clear.
    blue-whale-shipping-lane-sri-lanka-b...tif
  • Pictured here are ten sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) that were swimming together, mixed in with a larger gathering of whales. I estimate there were between 50 and 100 individuals in total, though it is difficult to be certain given their continual movement and diving. A couple of the whales can be seen defecating, an activity that seems to be a normal part of social interaction at the surface. Sperm whales are also frequently flatulent, as can be seen here.
    sperm-whales-defecating-socializing-...tif
  • A group of twenty three sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) traveling together. These whales (all females and immature individuals) were part of a much larger aggregation or superpod that I estimated to comprise around 100 individuals. The reason for such a large gathering is unclear, though it may have something to do with reproduction. Some time after this encounter, I came across another large group in the same area, which included a mature bull. Mature male sperm whales spend most of their time in colder waters, visiting tropical and temperate waters for the purpose of mating. The cloud of dark substance in the foreground is defecation from one of the whales, something which sperm whales seem to do often when they are at the surface.
    superpod-sperm-whales-sri-lanka-miri...tif
  • A group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) with one defecating. These whales are all females, and were part of a large gathering, comprising up to perhaps 100 individuals divided among several groups distributed over a large area. Sperm whales seem to defecate often while they are at the surface.
    sperm-whales-defecating-sri-lanka-ph...tif
  • This is the blowhole of an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Like other odontocetes, sperm whales have a single blow hole, in contrast to mysticetes, which have two. The blowhole of a sperm whale is on the left side of its body, which results in a characteristic left-leaning spout when the whale breathes.
    sperm-whale-blowhole-physeter-macroc...tif
  • Whale watch boats following a large aggregation of sperm whales, with a large commercial ship passing by at close range. Indian Ocean, south of Sri Lanka.
    whale-watch-boats-commercial-shippin...tif
  • Large adult pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) diving into the blue, perhaps to forage for food. Photographed in Sri Lanka.
    pygmy-blue-whale-balaenoptera-muscul...tif
  • This is an adult pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) entangled in a fishing net. The net was wrapped around the base of the whale's fluke, with substantial net and rope trailing behind. Rope stretched up both sides of the whale and appeared to be caught in the whale's mouth. I came across this whale in shallow, green, murky water, approximately 60 meters depth. The whale was still able to swim, though it appeared exhausted. It did not fluke, and the netting was not visible from the surface. Sadly, this whale most likely died shortly after this encounter.
    blue-whale-entangled-fishing-net-sri...tif
  • This is an adult pygmy blue whale entangled in a fishing net. The net was wrapped around the base of the whale's fluke, with substantial net and rope trailing behind. Rope stretched up both sides of the whale and appeared to be caught in the whale's mouth. I came across this whale in shallow, green, murky water, approximately 60 meters depth. The whale was still able to swim, though it appeared exhausted. It did not fluke, and the netting was not visible from the surface. Sadly, this whale most likely died shortly after this encounter.
    entangled-pygmy-blue-whale-fishing-n...tif
  • This is an adult pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) entangled in a fishing net. The net was wrapped around the base of the whale's fluke, with substantial net and rope trailing behind. As is visible in this image, rope stretched up both sides of the whale and appeared to be caught in the whale's mouth. I came across this whale in shallow, green, murky water, approximately 60 meters depth. The whale was still able to swim, though it appeared exhausted. It did not fluke, and the netting was not visible from the surface. Sadly, this whale most likely died shortly after this encounter.
    blue-whale-entangled-fishing-net-bal...tif
  • This is a juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) that appears to have died due to a fishing line. The line was wrapped around the marine reptile's neck several times, with a fishing hook lodged in some of the animal's flesh. Most of the flesh on the turtle's head had either been consumed by other animals or had otherwise fallen off, leaving just the skull. The rest of the body was largely intact. I am holding the blue fishing line filament in my left hand.
    green-turtle-killed-by-fishing-line-...tif
  • Very close pass with a pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) in murky water. Note the patches of white pigmentation on the right nostril and left dorsal area. These make this whale easy to recognize, even from above water.
    pygmy-blue-whale-balaenoptera-muscul...tif
  • Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) swimming at high speed, its fluke slicing through the water as the whale executed a rapid turn before diving into the deep.
    pygmy-blue-whale-balaenoptera-muscul...tif
  • This is blue whale feces, discharged by a whale that had surfaced after feeding on krill in deep water in southern Sri Lanka. The neon red-orange color of the defecation is due to the whale's krill-based diet. The feces dissolve rapidly, as is apparent from the fizzing around the large clumps in this image. Photo taken under permit.
    blue-whale-feces-krill-Balaenoptera-...tif
  • Fluke of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) diving to forage for krill in deep water. Note the distinctive crease on the whale's dorsal surface, just behind the dorsal fin. This, plus several white spots on this whale's body (including the two white spots visible on the top of the right fluke), made this individual easy to recognize. Photograph taken under permit.
    blue-whale-fluke-sri-lanka-Balaenopt...tif
  • Dorsal fin of a blue whale. Note the distinctive crease on the dorsal surface behind the dorsal fin. This, plus several white spots on this whale's body (including the two white spots visible on the right fluke), made this individual easy to recognize. Photograph taken under permit.
    blue-whale-dorsal-fin-Balaenoptera-m...tif
  • Fluke of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) diving to forage for krill in deep water. Note the distinctive crease on the whale's dorsal surface, just behind the dorsal fin. This, plus several white spots on this whale's body (including the two white spots visible on the right fluke), made this individual easy to recognize. Photograph taken under permit.
    blue-whale-fluke-Balaenoptera-muscul...tif
  • This is a Bryde's whale that was feeding in the same area as a number of blue whales. The taxonomic status of Bryde's whales is complex. There are several genetically distinct species and/ or subspecies in the scientific literature, including Balaenoptera brydei, Balaenoptera edeni, and Balaenoptera omurai.
    brydes-whale-balaenoptera-edeni-sri-...tif
  • This is a Bryde's whale that was feeding in the same area as a number of blue whales. The taxonomic status of Bryde's whales is complex. There are several genetically distinct species and/ or subspecies in the scientific literature, including Balaenoptera brydei, Balaenoptera edeni, and Balaenoptera omurai.
    balaenoptera-edeni-brydes-whale-sri-...tif
  • This is a Bryde's whale that was feeding in the same area as a number of blue whales in southern Sri Lanka. The taxonomic status of Bryde's whales is complex. There are several genetically distinct species and/ or subspecies in the scientific literature, including Balaenoptera brydei, Balaenoptera edeni, and Balaenoptera omurai.
    brydes-whale-balaenoptera-brydei-ede...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale executing a playful flick of her fluke just before diving down to deep water, perhaps to forage for food. This whale was part of a larger group of 15 to 20 whales that were traveling together across a wide range, spening a lot of time at the surface between dives. The whale's powerful caudal area is clearly visible in this image, as are the unique markings on her abdominal region. These markings make it possible to identify individual whales.
    sperm-whale-physeter-macrocephalus-o...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale executing a playful flick of her fluke just before diving down to deep water, perhaps to forage for food. This whale was part of a larger group of 15 to 20 whales that were traveling together across a wide range, spening a lot of time at the surface between dives.
    female-sperm-whale-indian-ocean-sri-...tif
  • This is a dead blue whale, probably killed by a ship strike from a large commercial ship, much like the one visible in the background. Major shipping lanes pass directly through the feeding grounds of blue whales and other cetaceans in southern Sri Lanka, increasing the chances for fatal ship strikes like this. This whale was male, with the cause of death being a wound to the animal's caudal area. Photo taken under permit.
    dead-blue-whale-container-ship-india...tif
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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