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A bit of bad luck...


A bit of bad luck...
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1976 W: 259 N: 4103] (11585)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-09-30
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Digital ISO 200, Hoya UV-Guard (77mm)
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Whales, Orca's, Sharks and Dolphins! [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-10-24 4:38
Viewed: 1683
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Southern Right Whale
Eubalaena australis

Description
This Whale is a large black stocky whale that has a number of features making identification relatively easy. They reach a maximum length of 17m and weight of 80 - 90 tonnes. It is the only large whale that lacks a dorsal fin. It has short blunt paddle-shaped flippers and the broad head carries a number of white callosities (raised rough patches of skin) that form individual identifiable pattern. This latter feature enables researchers to gather vital life history information on this species. This distinctive appearance combined with its slow moving behaviour make it difficult to confuse with any other species. The common name refers to the fact that it was the favoured target of the early whalers, the 'right ' whale to hunt.

Distribution, Habitat and Status
The Southern Right Whale inhabits the southern and sub-antarctic oceans except during the winter breeding season. During this breeding season the whales migrate to warmer temperate waters around the southern parts of the African, South American and Australian land masses.

Like the Humpback, commercial whaling decimated Southern Right Whale numbers. Its habit of lingering in bays and sheltered coastal areas made it an easy target so much so that it had virtually disappeared by the beginning of the 20th century. Fortunately, with strong protection its numbers are gradually increasing and the species is returning to most of its former range.

Food and Feeding
Like all the baleen whales, Southern Rights are essentially filter feeders, using their finely meshed long narrow plates to catch their prey, usually copepods or krill. They do not undertake the spectacular feeding displays of the Humpback, but use a steady open mouthed movement through prey swarms skimming out the food.

Breeding
Calving is thought to occur only every three to five years. A single young is born after a gestation period of 12 months and within a year, the calf is weaned and independent.

Hermanus offers the best shore-based whale watching in the world. Nature lovers from all over the world visit Hermanus to view these magnificent creatures from the the cliffs. The weather was not in my favour with only two days of sunshine while I was in the area. Therefore I did not spend to much trying to get these lovely animals. Another time highlander....

Hope you like it.
coasties, Janice, sAner, marhowie, ddg, scottevers7, radz, liquidsunshine, wallhalla15, livios, red45 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To duckpond: Thank you for the kind words...gerhardt 2 11-02 14:41
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Gerhard

Great timing. Good display of the tail and the water falling from it. Nicely composed. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-10-24 5:51]

Oh yes, great capture Gerhard. I saw Humpback whales in Oz (Australia) one year and that was a great experience, but we were out on a boat.
Great action shot with the tail on show. Good shot, well done.

Hi Gerhard.
Good timing, nice picture of the tail and it shows how large these animals are. As usual a very good and informative note.
Great work, my friend.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-10-24 6:45]

Hi Gerhard,

I have pictures of a Humback and of Sperm Whales and all my shots are from the back. The frontal POV is really nice and different. Well done & TFS! I've added you to a theme I've created.

Regards,
Pieter

Ahh yes, the photographers enemy - bad weather.. Nice tail shot and well composed my friend. A whale of a shot ;-) Perhaps "another time highlander". Well done & Thank You.

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2005-10-24 10:34]

Gerhard vous avez photographié là un grand classique de QUEUE DE BALEINE !!! mais c'est bien réalisé et le timing est magnifique. Very well done and congratulations Didier.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2005-10-24 10:58]

prachtige capture Gerhard,
uitstekende pov en goede compositie. Ja wat kan ik hier van zeggen. Uitstekend werk.
gr. Jaap

Hi Gerhard,
An excellent capture of this classic whale tail shot. Perfect timing with the water dripping off the tail. Even without great light it is still superb work.
Scott

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2005-10-24 14:33]

Action shot,with diffrent composition .Better luck to get next time full shot.

Well captured Gerhard,
Well timed to get the tail with water falling away.
Well composed, good POV from the front and good notes.
Thanks for posting, have a good week.

Gerhard, very good moment you captured! Nice composition! Very well done!

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-10-24 21:09]

Oh, man, what a pity she decided to go away. Anyway, the shot is worthwhile posting.

I've never seen a whale all over my life. Not even a piece of one of them.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-10-24 22:10]

Personal assessment of the photo: very good.
Capacity of evocation in me: very strong. They are very impressive in real life.
Strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you Gerhard.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-10-25 7:35]

Hi Gerhard!

At least we see its big tail ;-) Action shot, I like water droplets and grey tones of ocean. Nice note with story.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-10-25 22:00]

Bonne prise, pas facile de photographier une baleine. Félicitation on distingue bien l'eau qui s'écoule de la queue.Le cadrage est parfait et l'exposition bonne.

Merci pour l'envoie.

Although it's a bit of bad luck, you are still lucky to capture the tail. Nice shot. Interesting note too.

Very nice, I am curious about the name? This is a great shot. Good focus, good composition and good contrast, what more can you ask for.

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