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  • 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
  • Three male humpback whales socializing at depth, exhibiting highly intimate behavior with lots of body contact, reminiscent of humpback whale courting couples.
    three-male-humpback-whales-socializi...tif
  • Large aggregation of walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) socializing late at night and foraging for food. This chaotic and noisy group activity continued for many hours, with several dozen individuals involved. The large group sometimes broke up into two or three smaller groups.
    walrus-social-group-foraging-svalbar...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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Social interaction among sperm whales is often a tactile affair. Social gatherings among members of a sperm whale family unit can involve rubbing of bodies against one another and even gentle mouthing, as pictured here. Photo taken under permit in Roseau, Dominica.
    sperm-whales-socializing-dominica-ph...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 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
  • Three socialising male humpback whales. During extended social interaction, one of the males nuzzled the ventral area of another whale several times, including nuzzling of the urogenital area. The first time I saw this, the whale being nuzzled emitted some sort of dark fluid. I think it was feces, but there was only a little, and the whales were relatively far, so I am uncertain what it was.
    three-socializing-humpback-whale-mal...tif
  • Three humpback whale males engaged in social behavior, much of which appeared quite intimate. The whale pictured here nuzzling the ventral area of another whale exhibited this behavior for an extended period, including stroking of the second whale’s urogenital area. The whale being nuzzled emitted a dark fluid at one point. It was unclear what that emission comprised.
    intimate-social-behavior-among-humpb...tif
  • Three humpback whale males engaged in social behavior, much of which appeared quite intimate. In this image, one whale is nuzzling the ventral area of another whale. This took place for an extended time, and the nuzzling included the urogenital area. The whale being nuzzled emitted a dark fluid. It was unclear what that emission comprised.
    intimate-social-behavior-male-humpba...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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • Two male Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) play fighting with one another, similar to the way dogs socialize by mock fighting
    australian-sea-lions-play-fighting-n...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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • A group of humpback whales engaged in social foraging by herding herring and other fish with bubble nets. The lead whale bursts straight out of the water, while the other whales lunge alongside with their mouths wide open.
    humpback-whales-social-foraging-chat...tif
  • Four sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) rubbing their heads together while socializing, forming an X-pattern. This type of tactile social interaction among sperm whales is common, and is accompanied by a lot of sound made by the whales.
    four-sperm-whales-socializing-x-patt...tif
  • A pair of Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) socializing late at night, just before the Arctic summer sunset in Iceland.
    atlantic-puffins-socializing-sunset-...tif
  • Large social group of sperm whales playing at the surface. These sperm whale were making a lot of sound, primarily repetitive clicking of their signature coda
    sperm-whale-social-group-playing-in-...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) emerging from the water in perfect formation while engaged in social foraging, often referred to as bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching during a break from bubble net feeding. This whale was one of six that were engaged in social foraging.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2016...tif
  • This North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) was part of a group of whales that engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding for several days. One morning, this whale breached multiple times, prompting the other whales in the group to breach and pectoral slap for an extended period of time, as they ended their social foraging behavior and the whales went their separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...tif
  • This North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) was part of a group of whales that engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding for several days. One morning, this whale breached multiple times, prompting the other whales in the group to breach and pectoral slap for an extended period of time, as they ended their social foraging behavior and the whales went their separate ways. The weather was unusually clear, providing a view of the Fairweather Range of mountains in the background.
    humpback-whale-breaching-fairweather...tif
  • This North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) was part of a group of whales that engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding for several days. One morning, this whale breached multiple times, prompting the other whales in the group to breach and pectoral slap for an extended period of time, as they ended their social foraging behavior and the whales went their separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...tif
  • Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) social unit engaged in social activity, with one whale separated from the group while passing gas. Flatulence is common when sperm whales socialize near the ocean surface.
    sperm-whale-flatulence-socializing-d...tif
  • Four sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) hanging head down in the water, engaged in social interaction. Sperm whales are tactile, often making body contact with other whales, as shown here. They also produce a lot of sound during social interaction like this. Photo taken in Roseau, Dominica.
    four-sperm-whales-socializing-hangin...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
  • 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
  • Pandemonium and commotion among a group of socializing sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus)
    sperm-whale-social-group-physeter-ma...tif
  • A large group of humpback whales breathing together in between periods of cooperative hunting with bubble nets to herd schools of fish together. The whales typically rest like this after each successful hunt.
    humpback-whales-breathing-resting-bu...tif
  • Group of sperm whales at the ocean surface, just before diving down
    sperm-whale-social-group-diving-2010...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) engaged in bubble-net feeding, highlighted by the warm light of a late summer evening
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • This is a North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) breaching at 9:30PM in Alaska. Warm light from the final minutes of sunlight for the day illuminated the whale and ocean spray in a rainbow of color, reflected in the calm evening water.
    humpback-whale-breaching-at-night-al...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) executing a tail slap during a sunny day in Alaska. This whale was part of a group engaged in bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whale-tail-slap-alaska-2012...tif
  • A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that had an unusual dorsal fin, one that was split into three sections. It was not possible to determine whether this split dorsal was present from birth, or whether it was the result of an accident such as a propellor strike. This whale was one of eight or nine that engaged in bubble net feeding together during an overcast day.
    unusual-dorsal-fin-humpback-whale-al...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding, two with their mouths wide open. The low light of a summer evening in Alaska provides dramatic backlighting for this scene.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Close-up of a few of the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) comprising a group of whales engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding. Photographed in Chatham Strait, near Juneau, Alaska,
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-c...tif
  • North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) fluke in the warm light of a late summer evening in Alaska
    humpback-whale-fluke-late-evening-al...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska, in front of a dinghy with tourists enjoying the show.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whale calf breaching in Alaska. This calf’s mother was part of a large group of whales engaged in bubble net feeding. The calf was left to play while its mother fed. The adult female broke from the group from time to time to spend time with the calf, perhaps to nurse the young whale.
    breaching-humpback-whale-calf-alaska...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding, snow-capped mountains in the background.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding in the warm light of a sunny summer evening in Alaska
    hunpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Clear view of baleen in the mouth of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding in Alaska. Also visible on the lower jaw of another whale are Coronula diadema hard acorn barnacles and Conchoderma auritum gooseneck barnacles.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • A pair of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving in between group bubble net feeding, with a charter vessel visible between the flukes. Visible on the corners of the fluke of the whale on the left are Coronula diadema barnacles, which only grow on humpback whales. Hanging off those hard barnacles are Conchoderma auritum, a gooseneck barnacle that only appears on Coronula diadema barnacles.
    humpback-whale-flukes-alaska-201607-...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble net feeding in the warm light of late evening during summer in Alaska. The baleen in the mouth of the lead whale is clearly visible from this angle.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) rising up out of the water after creating a bubble-net to herd and catch herring in a cooperative manner. Photographed in Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska on a sunny day with lush greenery in the background.
    bubble-net-feeding-humpback-whales-a...tif
  • A group of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in cooperative foraging behavior commonly referred to as bubble net feeding. The whales find and encircle schools of fish, blowing bubbles as they do so to create a net around the fish and drive them to the surface. The whales then surround the fish and charge up in unison through their prey with mouths wide open. By working together, the whales are able to herd large schools of fish that would be more challenging for a single whale to capture. Photograph taken in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feedin-ch...tif
  • North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding to capture herring, with sea gulls taking advantage of the whales’ hard work. The whale with its mouth facing toward the camera is the lead individual.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • This is a North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) breaching at 9:30PM in Alaska. Warm light from the final minutes of sunlight for the day illuminated the whale and ocean spray in a rainbow of color, reflected in the calm evening water.
    humpback-whale-breaching-at-night-al...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) bubble net feeding in the warm light of late evening during summer in Alaska. The baleen in the mouth of the lead whale is clearly visible from this angle.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding during the summer in Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Condensation from the breath of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), backlit by evening sunlight during the Alaskan summer. This whale was one of a group of six engaged in bubble net feeding.
    humpback-whale-breath-condensation-a...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in bubble net feeding near a tourist vessel in Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-a...tif
  • Passengers aboard a recreational fishing boat enjoying the show put on by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-c...tif
  • The rostrum of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) emerging from the water. This whale was part of a group of humpback whales engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding. Viewing this image at 100%, you can see the tubercles (including single follicles of hair protruding from some of them), an injury to one of the tubercles, and a few whale lice (Cyamus boopis) at the tip of the lower jaw. Note also the barnacles under the jaw, which are humpback whale barnacles (Coronula diadema), that grow only on humpback whales. In addition, growing on the humpback whale barnacles are a type of gooseneck barnacle (Conchoderma auritum), that appear only on humpback whale barnacles.
    humpback-whale-rostrum-tubercles-par...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-cooperative-bubble-n...tif
  • Group of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) emerging from the water while engaged in cooperative bubble-net feeding. The whale with its mouth open in the middle of the photograph is the leader/ coordinator, always appearing in the middle of the group. Photographed in Chatham Strait, near Juneau, Alaska.
    humpback-whales-bubble-net-feeding-j...tif
  • A group of humpback whales surfacing near a small boat near the shore of Chatham Strait in Alaska, with the condensation of their breaths backlit by the afternoon sun.
    humpback-whales-near-small-boat-chat...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Chatham Strait, Alaska emerging from the water with their mouths wide open to feed on schools of fish. There are fish, probably herring, visible in the photo. From this angle, there is a clear view of the baleen hanging down from the top of the humpback whales' mouths.
    feeding-humpback-whales-mouths-open-...tif
  • One of a pair of socializing male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), extending his pectoral fins into the air
    humpback-whale-pectoral-fins-sociali...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
  • Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) executing a tail slap while socializing with other dolphins on an overcast day.
    indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphin-tail...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) swimming on its side, lifting its eye out of the water to take a look around. This was one of three whales socializing together.
    humpback-whale-with-eye-out-of-water...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
  • 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
  • Male humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) defecating while socializing with two other male humpback whales. Photographed during the winter breeding season in the Kingdom of Tonga.
    humpback-whale-defecation-tonga-2010...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
  • This humpback whale was part of a bubble-net feeding group in Icy Strait, Alaska. This breach was one of a series of breaches and pectoral slaps that occurred in tandem with the end of social foraging, with the whales going separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...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
  • Mature male orca (Orcinus orca) in the foreground, with other mature males visible in the background. Pairs and small groups of mature males were common in this area of Norway, swimming apart from their larger social units. Mature males are easily recognizable by their prominent dorsal fins.
    orca-adult-male-norway-orcinus-orca-...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 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
  • 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
  • Part of a large group of orcas (Orcinus orca) traveling together while foraging on large schools of herring (Clupea harengus) in the cold waters of northern Norway. With an abundant food supply, most orca social units had at least one calf, as pictured here.
    orcinus-orca-norway-mother-with-calf...tif
  • A humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching and playing while its mother engaged in bubble-net feeding with a social foraging group of whale nearby. Photographed in Chatham Strait, Alaska.
    playful-humpback-whale-calf-breachin...tif
  • Humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching. This calf's mother was among whales engaged in bubble net feeding. The calf did not participate in the social foraging, but tagged along some distance behind. The adult female separated from the group from time to time, perhaps to feed this calf.
    breaching-humpback-whale-calf-chatha...tif
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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