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Humpback Shower
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Close up of a humpback whale near Juneau while out whale watching with Harv & Marv (www.harvandmarvs.com).
The slow travelling whale had just surfaced and blown out and now all the water in its breath is raining back down on its back.
This shot looks like a b&w, but I can't remember converting it. I think it's just the light and the long focal length that gives this effect.
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a Baleen whale. One of the larger rorqual species, adults range in length from 12–16 metres (40–50 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb). The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with unusually long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is an acrobatic animal, often breaching and slapping the water. Males produce a complex whale song, which lasts for 10 to 20 minutes and is repeated for hours at a time. The purpose of the song is not yet clear, although it appears to have a role in mating.
Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometres each year. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter. During the winter, humpbacks fast and live off their fat reserves. The species' diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Humpbacks have a diverse repertoire of feeding methods, including the bubble net feeding technique.
Like other large whales, the humpback was and is a target for the whaling industry. Due to over-hunting, its population fell by an estimated 90% before a whaling moratorium was introduced in 1966. Stocks of the species have since partially recovered; however, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships, and noise pollution also remain concerns. There are at least 80,000 humpback whales worldwide. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpbacks are now sought out by whale-watchers, particularly off parts of Australia and the United States.
Click here for more of my photos from Alaska (external link to flickr). |
Taralee, tuslaw, livius has marked this note useful
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- demeve
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 11 N: 1631]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(5995) - [2009-02-03 11:39]
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Hello Hauke,
This is a very beautiful photo, great B&W and framing...
Well done
Everton
Hi Hauke
Wonderful presentation.
I like that it is B&W. Excellent sharpness.
How close did you come to the whale?
Thanks for sharing
Ania
Amazing capture, interesting and beautiful photo.
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- tuslaw
(4861)
- [2009-02-03 19:55]
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Perfect timing Hauke,
I know you said this isn't B&W but it could sure pass for one.
I love the composition and clarity you managed to capture. The way the mist is falling back down on top of the whale is very eye catching. Well done!!! Great notes!
Ron
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- livius
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 179 W: 0 N: 300]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1169) - [2009-02-04 3:33]
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Hello Hauke
a great photo with an incredible game of lights. Optimal presentation and very interesting notes. Thanks for sharing
Livio
![Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 12]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/n-n-s.gif){kind=small}
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 27 W: 0 N: 27]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif)
(156)