Photographer: Paul Osmond
(see this users gallery)
The tail fluke of a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) comes out of the water as it prepares to slaps the water hard. It is uncertain why these whales do this, however it is possible that it is for communication or possibly an attempt to remove barnacles or other parasites from the whales body.
Image taken in front of the Wild Coast coastline near Port St Johns in South Africa.
These huge whales can be seen each year in this area in the June and July time frame in conjunction with the Sardine Run, as they migrate north from their feeding season in Antartica towards Mozambique.
These whales can grown to upwards of 52 feet and weigh as much as 50 tons. They are also responsible for majority of the more beautiful the 'whale songs' that have become synomous with the general public.
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· Date: Sun September 10, 2006 · Reference ID: /22006-06-20-19-45-52 · Views: 2928 ·
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Keywords: balaenopteridae baleen rorqual mysticeti cetacea marine mammal pelagic filter feeder large endangered rare tail fin water splash slap
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Additional Categories: Humpback Whales
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Whitespotted Filefish - Cantherhines macrocerus
Paul Osmond
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