Photographer's Note
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is the name of this photo.
Humpback whales are known for their magical songs, which travel for great distances through the world's oceans. These sequences of moans, howls, cries, and other noises are quite complex and often continue for hours on end. Scientists are studying these sounds to decipher their meaning. It is most likely that humpbacks sing to communicate with others and to attract potential mates.
These whales are found near coastlines, feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton, and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator. Mothers and their young swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appear to be gestures of affection. Females nurse their calves for almost a year, though it takes far longer than that for a humpback whale to reach full adulthood. Calves do not stop growing until they are ten years old.
Humpbacks are powerful swimmers, and they use their massive tail fin, called a fluke, to propel themselves through the water and sometimes completely out of it. These whales, like others, regularly leap from the water, landing with a tremendous splash. Scientists aren't sure if this breaching behavior serves some purpose, such as cleaning pests from the whale's skin, or whether whales simply do it for fun.
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blueaquan
(34) 2010-07-24 0:25
Hi Jim
142 views and no comments yet...? Sometimes I wonder what people are looking for in a Photograph? Perhaps its the confusion about what to comment on the tip of a Whale head! But for most who have at least watched Discovery channel, they should know, unlike other Wildlife Photography, Whales only show part of their bodies and more so, even to track them and capture a shot like this is extremely difficult.
Hats off to your attempt Jim and also for the excellent note you've mentioned...
Keep up the good work!
Cheers, Blue
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Jim Costello (bullybeef53)
(3365)
- Genre: 风景
- Medium: 彩色
- Date Taken: 2010-07-22
- Categories: 自然
- Camera: Canon 40D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, 77 mm UV filter
- Exposure: f/6.3, 1/2000 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2010-07-22 15:18
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by bullybeef53, last updated 2010-07-29 03:02