Humpback Whale Female Pectoral Fins Raised

This is a female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) extending her pectoral flukes into the air to slap the water for attention. She was resting with a male humpback, seemingly paired up. She breached abruptly and repeatedly, as well as slapping the water with her pectoral fins and fluke. This attracted five other males to her, resulting in an energetic heat run, forcing the male that was originally with her to compete with other males.

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Filename: humpback-whale-female-pectoral-fins-raised-heat-run-tonga-201408-4736.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication in any form without prior written consent.
Image Size: 4906x3271 / 24.8MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopterid ae Megaptera novaeangliae Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Endangered: IUCN Red List Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Competitive Group Heat Run Pectoral Fin Female South Pacific Tonga Vava'u
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whale Activity

This is a female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) extending her pectoral flukes into the air to slap the water for attention. She was resting with a male humpback, seemingly paired up. She breached abruptly and repeatedly, as well as slapping the water with her pectoral fins and fluke. This attracted five other males to her, resulting in an energetic heat run, forcing the male that was originally with her to compete with other males.