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  • Part of the spinal column and vertebrae of a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) on a rocky short along the Northwest Passage that passes above Somerset Island in Nunavut Province, Canada
    bowhead-whale-bones-balaena-mysticet...tif
  • This pair of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticeus) from the endangered Okhotsk Sea subpopulation clearly exhibit signs of epidermal molting. Bowhead whales engage in exfoliation during the northern hemisphere summer by rubbing against rocks in shallow water. Possible reasons why the whales do this include shedding of ectoparasites such as whale lice (cyamids) and diatoms, as well as the replacement of skin damaged by sun exposure. Relatively warm temperatures in shallow water during the summer months may also be conducive to stimulating epidermal growth by promoting greater cutaneous bloodflow and delivery of nutrients and hormones to facilitate replacement of skin.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • During summer months, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) like the one pictured here often visit shallow water, which provides a shelter from potential predation by orcas. As seen in this photograph, the whales can swim in water that is only just deep enough for them not to become stranded. This individual is a member of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Southern right whale female with calf (Eubalaena australis) in shallow coastal water
    southern-right-whale-female-calf-eub...tif
  • Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) playing at the ocean surface in murky green water. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-eubalaena-austr...tif
  • About 4% of southern right whale calves are born with white and black pigmentation. These are referred to as brindle calves, and are always male. As they mature, these calves darken, but never turn completely dark. The contrast in pigmentation and the characteristic dark patterns on their bodies make these individuals easy to identify. About 6% of the southern right population have a partial brindle pattern. All of the partial brindle animals are female. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    brindle-calf-southern-right-whale-eu...tif
  • This bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. This individual was turned upside-down while performing loud percussive slaps on the ocean surface with the dorsal surface of its fluke. Orca rake marks are visible on the corners of the whale’s fluke. The whale was part of a large social gathering, comprising well over 50 whales. This whale’s tail slapping could be heard for a long distance. When this whale stopped, the gathering dissolved, with whales breaking moving away as singles and in smaller groups.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) brindle calf surfacing to breathe, facing away from the camera. Infesting the area around the calf’s blowholes are whale lice, likely Cyamus ovalis. About 4% of southern right whale calves are born with white and black pigmentation, as shown here. These calves are always male. As they mature, such calves darken but never turn completely dark like other southern rights. About 6% of southern right whales have a partial brindle pattern. All such whales are female. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-brindle-calf-eu...tif
  • Top-down view of the head of a southern right whale calf (Eubalaena australis), showing the development of the whale’s callosities. Note that colonization of the main callosity by whale lice (Cyamis ovalis) is at an early stage. There also do not appear to be any barnacles ensconced in the callosity at this point. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-calf-callosity-...tif
  • This is a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) relaxing at the surface in shallow water. It is a member of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, about which little is known. The population is thought to number in the low hundreds, but data is minimal. Note the rake marks from orcas visible on the front of the whale. Orcas in this area are known to target these whales.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A southern right whale calf (Eubalaena australis), resting its head on top of its mother while looking at me. The callosities that are characteristic of this species are beginning to show on the calf’s head. Note also that the calf already carries a full complement of whale lice, what appear to be mostly or entirely Cyamus ovalis. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-calf-with-mothe...tif
  • Four bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) swimming together. These individuals were part of a large social gathering of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. There is little known about this subpopulation, which was severely depleted by commercial whaling. Best estimates place the population size in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Pictured here are five bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) engaged in social activity in extremely shallow water during the summer. These whales are a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. There were well over 50 whales in proximity to one another on this day, perhaps closer to 100. Groups of whales came together and separated, sometimes in shallow areas like this, occasionally in deeper water.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A young southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) breaching. Note the development of the callosities. When the whale has matured and the callosities fully developed (complete with communities of commensal organisms), the pattern and layout of these callosities will facilitate photo identification. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    young-southern-right-whale-breaching...tif
  • A rainbow of color appearing in the exhalation of a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). This whale is part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, which is thought to number in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is a head-on view of a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), an individual in the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. The whale’s interlocking jaw structure is clearly visible from this angle. Also visible are rake marks from orca attacks. This population is actively hunted by orcas. The whales enter shallow bays in order to seek shelter from orcas, as well as to socialize and rub against rocks for molting their skin in the summer months.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. This individual was turned upside-down while performing loud percussive slaps on the ocean surface with the dorsal surface of its fluke. Orca rake marks are visible on the corners of the whale’s fluke. The whale was part of a large social gathering, comprising well over 50 whales. This whale’s tail slapping could be heard for a long distance. When this whale stopped, the gathering dissolved, with whales breaking moving away as singles and in smaller groups.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A very young southern right whale calf breaching. Note that the calf’s callosities are just forming. There are no noticeable whale lice, barnacles, or other parasites attached to the calf or the calf’s callosities. This demonstrates that the community of parasites that are found on southern right whales colonize each animal as it matures. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    young-southern-right-whale-calf-brea...tif
  • Close-up view underwater of the distinct form of a southern right whale’s pectoral fin. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-pectoral-fin-un...tif
  • A pair of adult southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in murky, relatively shallow water along the coast of South Africa. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-pair-eubalaena-...tif
  • Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) lifting a pectoral fin out of the water near shore. Note the outline of the bones in the pectoral fin, which are analogous to the bones in human hands. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-near-shore-pect...tif
  • Three adult southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) engaged in social activity, viewed from the air. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    socializing-southern-right-whales-ae...tif
  • Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) creating a rainbow while breathing. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-rainbow-south-a...tif
  • Single vertebrae bone of a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) on a slope overlooking Cunningham Inlet, Somerset Island in Nunavut Province, Canada. Photographed late at night, during the long twilight of the Arctic summer.
    bowhead-whale-vertebrae-balaena-myst...tif
  • This is a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) resting at the surface in very shallow water. This individual is part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. Best estimates put the total size of this population in the low hundreds, most having being killed by commercial whalers. This individual is relatively dark, with not as much white on its body. The mottled discoloration of skin is indicative of epidermal molting, which these whales engage in during the summer months.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Reaching over to take samples of whale lice (Cyamus ovalis) from one of the callosities on a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) that was stopped next to the boat. Visible on the lower jaw of the whale are hairs, outward signs demonstrating that the whale is a mammal. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    obtaining-whale-lice-samples-from-so...tif
  • Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) with pectoral fin raised above the ocean surface. This was a group of several whales, perhaps engaged in courtship/ mating activity. The whale with its pectoral fin in the air was the focal animal, which suggests there was a high probability it was female. Visible in the background are fields of canola, a major crop in South Africa. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-pectoral-fin-ra...tif
  • Southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) swimming just under the ocean surface. The whale’s callosities are clearly visible, arranged in a characteristic pattern on the whale’s head, with each individual’s pattern being unique. Callosity patterns can be used to identify individual whales. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-at-surface-2015...tif
  • Detailed view of one of the callosities on the head of a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). These rough bumps are populated by a number of organisms, the most prevalent of which are whale lice, seen here in great numbers. The species pictured here seems to be Cyamus ovalis. There are also barnacles and other organisms that I am unable to identify. The purpose of these callosities in unknown, as is the relationship between the whale and the organisms that make a home on and in these growths. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-callosity-commu...tif
  • Inquisitive southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) approaching to observe me. Note the callosity above the whale’s eye, which is populated by other organisms, including whale lice (Cyamus ovalis) and barnacles of indeterminate species. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-close-up-201507...tif
  • Fluke of a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) marked by injuries that appear to be the result of a propellor strike from a boat traveling at high speed. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-fluke-propellor...tif
  • A group of four bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) engaged in social activity in very shallow water. These whales are part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, which best estimates place in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is part of a large social gathering of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. The group of 17 whales is partially obscured by fog, which is common during the summer, as well as puffs of condensed exhalation by the whales. There were at least two other large groups of similar size in the immediate area, with many scattered singles and pairs. The group associations were dynamic, with continual inflow and outflow of individual whales. I estimate that there were well over 50 whales in proximity to one another on this day, perhaps closer to 100.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Southern right whale (Eubalena australis) with mouth open at the ocean surface, baleen clearly visible. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-baleen-mouth-op...tif
  • Young southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) breaching. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-breaching-eubal...tif
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