Humpback in Gross Sound Photo

Photographer’s Note

We sailed on board of catamaran Keet. “Keet” means orca in Tlingit language. There are strict regulations in whale watching in the USA. You can sail near the whale not close than 50 meters and not longer than 30 minutes. It is also prohibited to pursue the animals.

We saw many whales in different distances but one of them was real acrobat. We made numerous shots (all with manual focus — its jumps are nonpredictable) and legal 30 minutes of movie!

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is baleen whale with very long flippers. The average adult is about 15 meters and weighs as much as 35 tons.

Usually they congregate in groups of up to 12 individuals.

The total number in North Pacific is about 2,000 (~10,000 worldwide).

Endangered species. Commercial harvest is prohibited since 1966.

jhm, singuanti, delaufer has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jhm (81659) 2005-07-25 2:04

Hi Nikolay,
Again a beautiful picture out of you serie with whales, the blue colour tintes with the mountains on the background make your picture very attractive, the whale in the middle a real eye catcher.
Best regards,
John

singuanti (15240) 2005-07-25 23:25

Hi Nikolay. Another great shot from Alaska. The scenery is of course very beautiful but I love the atypical position the humpback whale is in. I like all of the rich blues too. Nice shot Nikolay.

delaufer (260) 2005-07-26 9:52

Unusual position for the whale! Those critters aren't good models, they must be camera shy. Nice, sharp picture, good note.

quantabeh (5203) 2005-07-26 17:14

hi Nikolay,
very impressive shot. simply beautiful, and it really does call for a closer shot and more zoom, if one has got that right telephoto lens.
still, superb scenery too.
Behrang