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  • 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
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) splashing the ocean surface with its power fluke and caudal region.
    humpback-whale-splashing-ocean-20171...tif
  • Discarded plastic toy ball floating in the middle of the ocean. Even innocent toys can become plastic waste that poisons the oceans.
    garbage-sri-lanka-201303-0472.tif
  • An adult female sperm whale coming up to the surface to breathe between dives to forage for food. I came across this whale and several other adult females in her family unit in the Indian Ocean.
    sperm-whale-reflection-ocean-surface...tif
  • An adult female sperm whale coming up to the surface to breathe between dives to forage for food. I came across this whale and several other adult females in her family unit in the Indian Ocean.
    sperm-whale-reflection-ocean-surface...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale playing at the surface. After taking a few breaths, the whale dropped below the ocean surface, rolled around a bit, and used its sonar to check me out.
    sperm-whale-at-ocean-surface_201104_...tif
  • Manta ray (Mobula sp.) swimming along the ocean surface skimming for food, with both wings in the down position
    manta-ray-juvenile-ocean-surface-201...tif
  • Manta ray (Mobula sp.) swimming along the ocean surface
    juvenile-manta-ray-ocean-surface-201...tif
  • This male blue whale was most likely killed by a ship strike. There is a large wound in the animal's caudal area, suggesting a direct bow strike by a large vessel. There is a high level of shipping traffic south of Sri Lanka, where container vessels and other large ships travel through shipping lanes on a continuous basis. These shipping lanes are situated in the middle of feeding grounds for blue whales and other cetaceans, putting these animals at high risk of ship strikes. Photo taken under permit.
    dead-blue-whale-floating-ocean-surfa...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
  • An entangled fish that appears to have died in a floating mass of fishing net, line, hooks and other debris. Photographed in the Indian Ocean. Discarded and lost fishing nets, along with associated gear, wreak havoc on marine life throughout the world. Lethal ghost nets and fishing gear like this float for hundreds, even thousands of kilometers, entangling and killing fish, sea birds, turtles, whales and many other ocean residents.
    dead-fish-fishing-net-entanglement-i...tif
  • A tangle of fishing nets, lines, hooks and other garbage found floating in the Indian Ocean. There was a small community of fish associated with this trash, but also fish that had been entangled and killed. Discarded and lost fishing nets, along with associated gear, wreak havoc on marine life, floating for hundreds, even thousands of kilometers while entangling fish, sea birds, turtles, whales and many other ocean residents.
    ghost-fishing-net-indian-ocean-sri-l...tif
  • This is a male blue whale killed by a ship strike, floating at the ocean surface, in the Indian Ocean south of Sri Lanka. There is a high volume of container ship and other large vessel traffic in this area, with the ships traveling directly through the feeding grounds of blue whales and other cetaceans. Ship strikes are perhaps a regular occurence. Photo taken under permit.
    dead-blue-whale-killed-ship-strike-B...tif
  • A pair of blue whales swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. They were engaged in social activity at the surface, and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    pygmy-blue-whales-in-sri-lanka-20110...tif
  • A pair of blue whales swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. They were engaged in social activity at the surface, and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    sri-lanka-pygmy-blue-whales-201104-0...tif
  • A pair of blue whales swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. They were engaged in social activity at the surface, and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    201104_Mirissa_Underwater_0377.tif
  • Manta ray (Mobula sp.) swimming along the ocean surface
    juvenile-manta-ray-indian-ocean-2011...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results. Notice that the sperm whale has closed her eyes.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...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 throat grooves on a dead blue whale, found in the Indian Ocean of Sri Lanka. The whale was most likely the victim of a ship strike by a large container vessel. The main shipping channel south of Sri Lanka passes directly through feeding grounds of blue whales and other cetaceans, which gather in the area to feed on aggregations of krill in deep water. Photo taken under permit.
    throat-grooves-blue-whale-Balaenopte...tif
  • This is the pectoral fin of a dead blue whale, found floating in the Indian Ocean south of Sri Lanka. Blue whales have relatively short pectoral fins in relation to their body size. This whale was probably killed by a ship strike in the busy shipping lanes that run directly through blue whale feeding grounds. Photo taken under permit.
    pectoral-fin-blue-whale-Balaenoptera...tif
  • A pair of blue whales swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. They were engaged in social activity at the surface, and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    sri-lanka-blue-whales-201104-0376.tif
  • A pygmy blue whale swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. There was a pair engaged in social activity at the surface. The two dived and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    pygmy-blue-whale-in-sri-lanka-201104...tif
  • A pygmy blue whale swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. There was a pair engaged in social activity at the surface. The two dived and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    pygmy-blue-whale-sri-lanka-201104-03...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale swimming upside-down in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. This is a position frequently adopted by sperm whales near the surface to make use of their sonar to investigate floating objects like me. I may have been the first person she had ever come across. Notice that there is a small piece missing from the dorsal edge of her right pectoral fin.
    female-sperm-whale-sri-lanka_201104_...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
  • 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
  • Head-on view of a dead blue whale, floating in the Indian Ocean south of Sri Lanka. The cause of death was most likely a ship strike, with a large vessel colliding with the caudal region of the whale. The carcass was relatively fresh, as there was no significant bloating and minimal decomposition. Photo taken under permit.
    ship-strike-dead-blue-whale-Balaenop...tif
  • Rear view of a blue whale killed by a ship strike in the Indian Ocean, south of Sri Lanka. This region is a feeding area for blue whales and other cetaceans. It is also a major shipping lane, with large container vessels and other big ships traveling through the feeding grounds on a constant basis. The large wound in the whale's caudal region may have been caused by a head-on collision by one of these ships. Photo taken under permit.
    blue-whale-killed-by-ship-strike-sri...tif
  • A blue whale diving down to feed on krill in the Indian Ocean, south of Sri Lanka. This whale was relatively inquisitive, proactively approaching on several occasions, and swimming along underneath our boat in one instance. This whale is easily recognizable by the white patch on the left side of its head. It also has a white area on the right side of its nose, two white spots on the right side of its fluke, and a large, visible indentation on the dorsal surface of its caudal region. Photograph taken under permit.
    blue-whale-diving-Balaenoptera-muscu...tif
  • A pair of blue whales swimming in blue water of the Indian Ocean. This may be the pygmy sub-species of blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda. They were engaged in social activity at the surface, and were relaxed when they swam past. I estimate that the whales were between 20 and 25 meters long.
    blue-whales-blue-water-sri-lanka-201...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale swimming upside-down in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. This is a position frequently adopted by sperm whales near the surface to make use of their sonar to investigate floating objects like me. I may have been the first person she had ever come across. Notice that there is a small piece missing from the dorsal edge of her right pectoral fin.
    upside-down-sperm-whale-sri-lanka_20...tif
  • Adult female sperm whale playing at the surface. After taking a few breaths, the whale dropped below the ocean surface, rolled around a bit, and used its sonar to check me out.
    adult-female-sperm-whale-playing_201...tif
  • Juvenile Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) at the ocean surface taking a breath in between play sessions. Photographed at Carnac Island, Western Australia
    australian-sea-lion-breathing-carnac...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
  • Rear view of a manta ray swimming in blue water in along the ocean surface skimming for food, with both wings in the up position
    rear-view-juvenile-manta-ray-201104-...tif
  • Underwater view of a footprint left on the ocean surface by the fluke of a swimming adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
    sperm-whale-footprint-underwater-vie...tif
  • Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) creating a beautiful wake as it slices through the surface of the ocean at high speed
    indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphin-sout...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
  • Adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) cruising at the ocean surface on a sunny day
    sperm-whale-adult-female-physeter-ma...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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) breaching clear of the ocean surface. Note that the dolphin’s eye is closed.
    indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphin-sout...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
  • 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
  • Dead blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) floating at the ocean surface. This whale was most likely killed by a ship strike that took place in the shipping lanes just south of Sri Lanka. Container ships and other large boats use these shipping lanes day-in and day-out. The shipping lanes are situated in the middle of feeding grounds for blue whales and other cetaceans, which dive down to deep water to forage for krill and other food. Photo taken under permit.
    dead-blue-whale-Balaenoptera-musculu...tif
  • Manta ray (Mobula sp.) swimming along the ocean surface skimming for food
    juvenile-manta-ray-rear-view-201104-...tif
  • Rear view of a manta ray (Mobula sp.) swimming in blue water along the ocean surface skimming for food, with both wings in the up position
    juvenile-manta-ray-blue-water-201104...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
  • Sperm whales seem to pass gas and defecate a lot when they are at the surface. This is something I have observed consistently across different sperm whale populations. This is the largest quantity of excrement that I've seen from a sperm whale.
    sperm-whale-defecation_201104_0719.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
  • Indian Ocean blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica) returning to deeper water to forage for krill after a brief surface interval to replenish air supply.
    blue-whale-indian-ocean-balaenoptera...tif
  • Large vessels like this one travel on a constant basis in the shipping lanes just south of Sri Lanka. The shipping lanes pass through the middle of feeding grounds for blue whales and other cetaceans. The risk of ship strikes in this region is high.
    large-commercial-ship-indian-ocean-s...tif
  • Large vessels like this one travel on a constant basis in the shipping lanes just south of Sri Lanka. The ships travel at high speed, as is apparent from the bow wake in this image. The shipping lanes pass through the middle of feeding grounds for blue whales and other cetaceans, making the risk of ship strikes in this region high.
    large-ship-bow-wake-indian-ocean-sri...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
  • Adult female sperm whale swimming upside-down in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. This is a position frequently adopted by sperm whales near the surface to make use of their sonar to investigate floating objects like me. I may have been the first person she had ever come across. Notice that there is a small piece missing from the dorsal edge of her right pectoral fin.
    sperm-whale-blue-water-indian-ocean_...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
  • 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
  • An Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) leaping out of the surf in South Africa
    indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphin-surf...tif
  • Two adult sperm whales, part of a larger family unit that I came across in the waters south of Sri Lanka
    two-sperm-whales-in-blue-water_20110...tif
  • Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) leaping out of the water while surfing among swells in South Africa
    bottlenose-dolphin-surfing-tursiops-...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
  • Sperm whales seem to pass gas and defecate a lot when they are at the surface. This is something I have observed consistently across different sperm whale populations. This is the largest quantity of excrement that I've seen from a sperm whale.
    sperm-whale-poop_201104_0724.tif
  • Female sperm whale diving. This particular individual had many white patches (unique pattern of birthmarks) on her abdomen and a bit on her dorsal surface, making her easy to identify. She was quite shy, and dived quickly. Note the stream of bubbles trailing from her dorsal fin as she dives.
    sperm-whale-diving-trailing-bubbles_...tif
  • Manta rays for sale at the morning fish market in Mirissa, Sri Lanka. Many mantas and mobula rays are landed each day at this small port, primarily to supply the growing gill raker trade, which is targeting rays around the world to supply powders and potions to consumers in Asia who believe that gill rakers have medicinal powers.
    manta-rays-fish-market-mirissa-sri-l...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
  • 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
  • Juvenile spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) surfacing next to its mother
    spinner-dolphin-juvenile-with-mother...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
  • Bryde’s whale defecating (Balaenoptera edeni) after coming up from feeding
    brydes-whale-defecating-201502-2100.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
  • Inquisitive male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pushing its nose into the camera lens. Sea lions use their noses to poke and investigate things, as well as to greet and play with one another in the water.
    endangered-australian-sea-lion-neoph...tif
  • Southern right whale female with calf (Eubalaena australis) in shallow coastal water
    southern-right-whale-female-calf-eub...tif
  • Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping into the air on a sunny day
    spinner-dolphin-stenella-longirostri...tif
  • An endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) lying in a bed of sea grass, blowing bubbles
    australian-sea-lion-bubbles-200802-0...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
  • Cyamus ovalis, one of three whale lice species known to associate with right whales. on my hand for scale. Whale lice are amphipods. This specimen is from a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) in South Africa. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    whale-lice-cyamus-ovalis-southern-ri...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 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
  • 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
  • Young Australian sea lion coming in for a kiss
    sea-lion-kissing-camera-lens-201103-...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
  • 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
  • This was part of a large gathering of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) comprising hundreds, perhaps thousands of individual whales that spanned horizon to horizon for nearly three days. This was likely a meeting of multiple social units in the same clan. Pictured here is one particularly large social cluster.  This image is licensed on an exclusive basis to BBC through 29 October 2021.
    sperm-whale-large-aggregation-201402...tif
  • Two adjacent flukes of a pair of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving in synchrony. Both flukes, but particularly the one in the rear, are covered with Coronula diadema barnacles, which are found exclusively on humpback whales.
    humpback-whale-flukes-coronula-diade...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
  • 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
  • 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) launching itself out of the water.
    spinner-dolphin-flying-stenella-long...tif
  • An endangered male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) being silly, flipped upside-down and resting on the bottom of a boat hull in shallow water.
    australian-sea-lion-being-silly-2008...tif
  • Fluke-on view of a group of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) socializing. The whales are clustered together head-first, with lots of bio-sonar clicking and rubbing together of their heads and bodies. Mass defecation is often a part of such social activity, with the defecation becoming thick enough to obscure the whales from view, as is the case here. Note the shedding of skin, which is also characteristic of sperm whale socialization.
    sperm-whales-socializing-mass-defeca...tif
  • Two adult southern hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae australis) tail slapping together. This pair was traveling north together in the winter. The one on the left is female; the one on the right male.
    southern-humpback-whale-megaptera-no...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
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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