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Humpback Whale Escort Acrobatic Body Block

This is the primary escort in a humpback whale competitive group heat run. The whale is executing a body block of another male in pursuit by extending his pectoral fins and pulling up suddenly in a vertical position, much like an airplane stalling mid-flight. Though this is a common tactic, it is difficult to photograph, as it happens suddenly and the action pauses for only a few moments.

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Filename: humpback-whale-escort-body-block-tonga-201408-4718.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No usage or reproduction in any form without prior written consent.
Image Size: 4929x2773 / 21.2MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Megaptera novaeangliae Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Endangered: IUCN Red List Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Competitive Group Heat Run Escort South Pacific Tonga Vava'u
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whale Activity

This is the primary escort in a humpback whale competitive group heat run. The whale is executing a body block of another male in pursuit by extending his pectoral fins and pulling up suddenly in a vertical position, much like an airplane stalling mid-flight. Though this is a common tactic, it is difficult to photograph, as it happens suddenly and the action pauses for only a few moments.