A breaching Whale

LjMaxx

A breaching Whale

I saw & felt this male Humpback Whale jumping out of the water from our very small fishing boat. It was a spectacular exp for me… Something I will never forget.

Humpbacks are known as the acrobats of the ocean, often seen breaching (jumping out of the water), and flipper and tail slapping.

For what purpose are these actions?

These activities performed by surface active groups are usually involved in breeding behaviors. Researchers think the males are competing for the chance to mate with available females. Some of the behaviors shown were breaching, flipper/pec (pectoral fin) slapping and tail slapping. Breaches and slaps, in addition to being aggressive displays during courtship, may also be a play behavior in juvenile and adult whales Breaches and slaps may also be used to remove pesky barnacles or old skin (a form of grooming).

The average length of a humpback whale?
Calves can be about 15 feet in length. Adults are about 45-50 feet.
~

Nikon D60/55-200
N.W. Mexico
Jan-2009

1802 views
11-09

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 A breaching Whale by LjMaxx
 A breaching Whale by LjMaxx
  • David Murphy

    David Murphy

    Great catch!!
    ........and a similar write-up!!
    Well done!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks very much much David.. So pleased you commented~ :)

  • mrscarlotta

    mrscarlotta

    Neato, I would have shit myself xxxxxxxxx

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hahahahaah.. I would have thought I would oftoo.. but..it was so exciting to see and I embraced every second of it.. Thanks Carlotta.. ox

  • mrscarlotta

    mrscarlotta

    LMAO, WOULD STILL HAVE SHIT MYSELF XXXXXXXXX

  • LjMaxx

    LjMaxx

    Thanks so much for taking a look here. I have a small series or 6 images of this same Whale~ These shown here are 3 of the 6.

  • Marvin Collins

    Marvin Collins

    Awesome capture, I love this!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Marvin.. What a day it was for me. T.Y.~

  • Al Bourassa

    Al Bourassa

    You are so lucky to have taken these awesome shots! Great job LJ!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Yes.. I feel I was too Al. Not a common sight for me.. Thanks so much here too~ :)

  • Edith Farrell

    Edith Farrell

    Wonderful job my friend and sounds like it was so exciting. You should post it on Day Hikes!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning Edith…. Not sure what day hikes is.. ? Thanks so much for commenting here too..:)

  • bill  oneil

    bill oneil

    Wonderful photography of a magnificent creature…well done Lj.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Bill.. Thrilled to have been there to see all this.. :)

  • Carol  Lewsley

    Carol Lewsley

    Lj i must admit i’m sooo jealous of you being so close to take this lovely photo something that i always want todo thankyou for sharing this photo instant fave. cheers carol

  • LjMaxx replied

    I sure hope you get to do this too one day Cazz.. Whata great exp it is.. So mighty and powerful.. A beauty to see in person. Thanks so much for ths comment~

  • Kasey Cline

    Kasey Cline

    WOW Too cool Lj…Just amazing to me!!! An incredible shot my friend!!! I can’t even imagine how that must have felt!!! WOW!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hey Kasey.. Next year… You , me & all the other girls.. Cool,. Its gonna be great~ Thanks for this wonderful comment too!

  • AndyGii

    AndyGii

    Very nice shot Lj. You just gotta love these creatures

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Andy.. Yes.. I do love these creatures.. in my camera. hahaha. Later~

  • chazz

    chazz

    Great Shot!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Chazz… Appreciate it~ :)

  • Mike Davitt

    Mike Davitt

    Wow, amazing stuff. Thats exactly the kind off thing to take photos of;
    Brilliant shot.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Mike.. Almost fell off the little boat trying to get these shots.. hahahaha.. Fun day.. Thanks~

  • Marion  Cullen

    Marion Cullen

    What a fabulous opportunity and you certainly made the most of it. Brilliant photography!

  • LjMaxx replied

    So pleased you liked this Lumineux. Thanks so much for cking it out~

  • cherylc1

    cherylc1

    WOW!!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Cheryl.. It was a WoW for me indeed~

  • CanDuCreations

    CanDuCreations

    Awesome work

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning Thea.. Many Thanks to you here~ :)

  • Meike

    Meike

    WOW What a catch! ;))

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hello.. Thanks so much for this comment here.. I apprecite it very much~

  • Luca Renoldi

    Luca Renoldi

    Awesome shot. Thanks for upload it on RB

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning Luca.. Thank you so much for cking it out.. I appreciate it greatly~

  • Honor Kyne

    Honor Kyne

    Great shot….wonderful :))

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Honor.. Really appreciate your cking him out here~

  • Jeffrey Palm

    Jeffrey Palm

    What an awesome capture!!!!!!!!!!!! great work!!!! I certainly hope it gets to my group!!!!!!!!! :)

  • LjMaxx replied

    Yes.. I didnt know if it had enough water motion to enter it. But i just did. Thanks for the reminder and encouraggement to do do Jeff.. Really appreciate your comment here. T.Y..~

  • Dave & Trena Puckett

    Dave & Trena P...

    great shot and amazing timing. very nice photo, and very informational write up think you..

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much here Davtren.. Pleased you took a look & commented.. :)

  • EnlightenedOne

    EnlightenedOne

    The only one luckier than you getting to see this whale is the whale getting to see you.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Now this is just the sweetest comment I could have hoped for.. Thanks E.O. What a grand day it was for me.. My pic your words? colab??? Mabie.. sounds good to me.. :)

  • EnlightenedOne

    EnlightenedOne

    How about this. This summer when you and I are taking photos up the coast into Rye beach we can do some collaboration. That way we’ll both know the other isn’t just talking in order to hear themselves speak. lol

    Hell, I’d write write a complete series of encyclopedias for the likes of you! LOLLLL

  • LjMaxx replied

    Sounds like a fine plan.. Looking foward to it too .. :)

  • NatureRules

    NatureRules

    Exceptional capture my good friend. Wish I was there this time. Mabie on the next round.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi there. So pleased to see you here again. T.Y. so much too. Hope you can make it again.. That would be a blast for me.. Miss ya..:)

  • Joseph Rieg

    Joseph Rieg

    simple…..WOW!!!!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Joseph.. Simply grateful here too~

  • Shoaib .
  • LjMaxx replied

    Hey Shoaib.. Thanks for cking him out here. He was a fabulous preformer~ :)

  • Kate Adams

    Kate Adams

    Stunning capture Lj!!! just one of once in a lifetime shots..very beautiful!!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Yes it was too Kate.. Just got featured in the “That one great shot” group..lol. Thanks so much for bringing me luck here~

  • Susan Bergstrom

    Susan Bergstrom

    A FAV!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Susan~ :)

  • CarolM

    CarolM

    Excellent!! Congrats on your wonderful feature.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Carol.. Many Thanks to you here~ :)

  • BigD

    BigD

    Congratulations you have been featured in All Water in Motion group. BigD and Jeff.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thank yo BigD. Really appreciate it too.. Pleased indeed~ :)

  • Paul Woloschuk

    Paul Woloschuk

    A beautiful shot.
    I was lucky to enjoy a sight similar to this whilst on a Whale-watch trip several years ago. It created a feeling and emotion in me that I shall never forget.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Paul.. I know exactly what you mean. Same thing here. Thanks so much for cking mine out too~ :)

  • Jonice

    Jonice

    You sure captured him at the right moment Lj. What a awesome shot! Jonice

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thaks Jonice.. My lucky day indeed~ :)

  • P3T3

    P3T3

    What a great experience and fantastic photo.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Pete.. Yes it was a great exp for me..Cant wait to do it again too.. Thanks so much here~ :)

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    It is fabulous!! How marvelous it is that you saw this magnificent creature so closely and took such a spectacular shot!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thak you Sharon.. Really appreciate this comment~ :)

  • Michael Rucci

    Michael Rucci

    outstanding . worthy of a national geographic cover shot

    mike

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Michael.. Your my new best friend now too. Hahaha.. Happy V-Day to you also~ :)

  • sss526

    sss526

    What can I say… You know how to shoot a great shot :)

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks BGF~ :) Later!

  • Scott Bricker

    Scott Bricker

    great pic, what an amazing experience that must have been…
    pro work, LJ, as always…

  • LjMaxx replied

    Yes.. it was a great exp for me.. Thanks so much for this comment Scott~

  • Suzanne Storm

    Suzanne Storm

    Fabulous work, lucky you to see the whale, how lovely, it’s just great

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning Suzanne… Thanks so much for this comment… I was lucky indeed~

  • Jerry & Brenda Wallace

    Jerry & Brenda...

    Execellant capture great timing.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi J & B. Many Thanks to you here~ :)

  • Helene Kippert

    Helene Kippert

    Fantastic shot!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Helene.. :)

  • kreesor

    kreesor

    Outstanding capture Lj!! :)

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning Keith.. Thank you~ I am ready to go back for a re-shoot.. lol.. Have a terrific weekend~ :)

  • jinney

    jinney

    WOWE!
    Hes a biggy!
    How beautiful to see this!
    AWESOME CAPTURE!
    -jinney

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Jinney… Many Thanks to you for commenting here. I really appreciate it!

  • Gethin

    Gethin

    incredible… nature at its finest.. well done!

  • LjMaxx replied

    It was a blast for me to see this… So appreciate your commenting~

  • brigusser

    brigusser

    Wow…..Absolutely fantastic capture, it’s what we all aspire to!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi B.. Many Thanks to you for cking him out~ :)

  • SueAnne

    SueAnne

    This is such an incredable image and a very hard shot to get with such great action and stay in focus.

  • LjMaxx replied

    and not fall off the tiny boat.. hahaaha.. Thanks dear girl~ :)

  • melant1017

    melant1017

    Yes LJ, I know of this practice. I have used it myself many times to get females, but for some reason they run away, LOL :) Great capture my friend, what a moment that must have been :)

    ~A

  • LjMaxx replied

    ahahahha… You need NO HELP my dear Antonio~ It was awesome to see this indeed~ :)

  • oddoutlet

    oddoutlet

    wowee- only a few people get to see this up close I reckon- your so lucky as you probably already know : ) Good timing and great capture!

  • LjMaxx replied

    I was pretty lucky indeed… I do appreciate your cking this out too~ :)

  • Philip Johnson

    Philip Johnson

    congrats on the feature in the Nikon DSLR User Group

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much here Philip… My 1st in 1 year for this group.. Felt great~ :)

  • kimie

    kimie

    Wow, what a great capture, fantastic x

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Kimie.. :)

  • Louise Robinson

    Louise Robinson

    Absolutely wonderful! Great shot!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning Louise.. Really appreciate your commenting here~ :)

  • Carol Barona

    Carol Barona

    Beautiful! How amazing to see this! Great capture Lj!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Carol~ :)

  • Rob Parsons

    Rob Parsons

    Amazing shot – love to see one, some day.

  • LjMaxx replied

    I hope you do Rob. It was magnificent for me this day~ Thank you.. :)

  • Ginny York

    Ginny York

    In a small boat LJ??? Holy I don’t know what! Really this is an amazing catch and the stop in action of the whale and all the splashing in the water is just excellent. Way to go girl. I would be afraid i would have been knocked out of the boat! lol Ginny

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Ginny.. Nope.. Not nervous at all.. I was so excited and pleased to have been this close and witness this & the water temps were good so.. Hahhhah.. Later!..

  • NATURELENS

    NATURELENS

    SUPERB TIMING, exceptional image

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much for commenting here Naturelens.. Appreciate it~

  • David G. Fredrickson

    David G. Fredr...

    As you know, this is amazing as recognized by many others. Superb image Lj, Dave

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Dave.. I had a great time this day.. :)

  • genaro1

    genaro1

    excellent!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Good morning & Thank you!

  • ~ Ademac

    ~ Ademac

    Superb capture…..................what an amazing creature.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thank you so much for commenting here Barssel.. Really appreciate it!

  • artisandelimage

    artisandelimage

    excellent capture, what a beautiful sight !!!
    I just hope to witness this “au naturel”...
    my best, francis.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much here Francis~ What a good time it was too.. A highlight for me.. I hope you too see this.. and soon! :)

  • Paul Scarsella

    Paul Scarsella

    amazing – must have been awesome to actually experience!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    It was awesome for me.. So close & he just jumped so much all around our little boat.. I had an absolute blast.. T.Y.. very much!

  • Michael Beers

    Michael Beers

    You are so lucky to have been able to take these close shots.
    This is fantastic !!!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    I was lucky I think yes.. Thanks so much for cking this out Michael.. :)

  • Michelle BarlondSmith
  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Michelle. Glad you ck’d this out~ :)

  • Wilparina

    Wilparina

    Another great shot. They drag an amazing amount of water up with them during these acrobatics.
    Well done.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Yes.. they do. I will stop over your way soon to see all of yours. What a blast huh.. Thanks W~ :)

  • Shaina Lunde

    Shaina Lunde

    WoW! What an amazing shot!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much for cking this out Shaina.. :)

  • MattTworkowski
  • LjMaxx replied

    Thats terrific news Matt. Love your groups announcement banner too. I am quite pleased by this feature~ :)

  • Rachael Clancy

    Rachael Clancy

    What fantastic timing,They are such majestic creatures..

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Rachael. I agree. This was a fantastic exp for me to see.. :)

  • Colleen Battistoni

    Colleen Battis...

    wow, lucky you :)

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Colleen..

  • whalegeek

    whalegeek

    Congratulations on capturing this magnificent humpback breach so very well. Your informative commentary about humpies is also appreciated. Kudos from Whalegeek!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thaks so much for cking this out.. Pleased you liked it.. Thank you!

  • chijude

    chijude

    Wow …. wonderful capture. I wanted to see the version that was not in Andygii’s pool under the tender care of Miss you know who.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hahahaha.. This is when I was doing the whale watching then Andy & Fluffy started watching him and gave him his own pool… :) Thanks so much for ckng this out Chijude~

  • David  McLean

    David McLean

    what an incredible capture… this is outstanding , I love it.

  • LjMaxx replied

    HI David… Thank you! So pleased you commented. I had a blast…

  • Heloisa Castro

    Heloisa Castro

    great shot

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Heloisa… :)

  • mlynnd

    mlynnd

    Great catch, on this guy!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Lynn. Thanks so commenting here.. :)

  • Paul Scarsella

    Paul Scarsella

    Wow! amazing capture and commentary

  • LjMaxx replied

    This turned out to be one of the top 10 days of my adult life. I will never forget the joy this all brought me. Splashing too.. Thanks Paul. So pleased you ck’d this one out.. :)

  • LjMaxx replied

    p.s Like the new aviatar. Nice to see the persn behind the art & the words.. :)

  • Paul Scarsella

    Paul Scarsella

    Thank you Lj – personally I think the bike looks better;) I can’t stop looking at your avatar.

  • LjMaxx replied

    I like your new one best.. Great smile too.. Pleased for your comment here Paul.. (blush) T.Y.. Have a great day too.. :)

  • x- pose

    x- pose

    Incredible, spectacular shot!!!

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    AMAZING!!!!!!

  • Mark Peterson

    Mark Peterson

    Nicely captured Lj

  • jwinman

    jwinman

    you are so lucky! I would love to see a whale breach! I saw a humpback one time at Laraby beach rubbing on rocks. It was very close, and an unforgettable experience.

  • LjMaxx replied

    I was lucky indeed.. I watched for some time very close.. Thought our small boat was gonna tip. Great day in my life. Thank you sooo much here! :)

  • Gabriel Popa

    Gabriel Popa

    I wish to be there, supreme capture….

  • LjMaxx replied

    I wish to be there too Gabriel.. I love this place.. The Humpbacks were calling for thier mates this day.. Singing and jumping.. Slapping those huge fins on the water splashing me.. A grand site to see indeed.. I hope you too get to do this.. Thank you~ :)

  • Gabriel Popa

    Gabriel Popa

    I swear , I’ll do it !!!

  • FelicityB

    FelicityB

    This for real is so near the top of my wish list … fabulous image! What an incredible experience

  • Auntymazza

    Auntymazza

    Fantastic, where was this captured, our whale watching is starting soon on the Gold Coast Australia

  • Judith Hayes

    Judith Hayes

    Beautiful Capture!!!

  • theheijt

    theheijt

    A fav

  • Tim Sanders

    Tim Sanders

    Now this is Just Awesome….My jaw would have been on the bottom of the boat….Fantastic capture…..

  • LjMaxx replied

    Aww Tim.. It was spectacular.. They jumped all around me for quite some time. My boat was a small panga for fishing and it was rockin all over. I got some shots clearly enough but it was hard to stay contained both from him and my excitment.. Thanks again~ Lj

  • JennyDean

    JennyDean

    wow this is something i would loooooove to see! Brilliant :)

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much Jenny.. It was a great exp for me.. Dec-March they are in Mexico’s waters. Both Beluga and Humpback.

  • PhotoAvenue

    PhotoAvenue

    Totally awesome capture!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much P.A. ~:)

  • VanillaDolphin

    VanillaDolphin

    Awesome picture! Great timing! You did an amazing job!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks VD. Really appreciate that~ ~:)

  • Casey Herman

    Casey Herman

    Wow, you sure were close to it! Last month when I went surfing, there was a whale about 75 yards away from us, and it had been in the area for a number of hours … and it was just the most awesome thing! So, I can relate to your elation!! The whale and I even got into a session of water slapping, and the more I slapped the water, the more IT slapped the water. I’m very sure that wasn’t a coincidence! They truly are an intelligent animal, and I’m grateful for its indulgence of my childish play!

  • Casey Herman

    Casey Herman

    Oh, I’ve posted a photo of it in my portfolio … it’s nothing like yours, but I just like that I’ve got photos of it close to surfers.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Casey.. I was close. Could have touched him a few times if the panga wasnt so small and rockin.. What a grand exp this day was for me. I bet your fin slapping session was awesome. He just might have thought you were competition though..lol.. I too am grateful for my encounter with him.. I also saw a Beluga Mom and baby not to far from this location. What a day! Really appreciate your comments and interest. T.Y. ~::))

  • paolo1955

    paolo1955

    You have a knack for taking fantastic photos

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Paolo. Thanks so much. I have been admirering your work for sometime now. Observing your style and defined techniques. Your gallery here is brimming over with wonderful images that I have so enjoyed seeing. So pleased for this comment.. ~:)))

  • kenspics

    kenspics

    WOW…what an amazing photo ..and experience!!!!
    Thank you for sharing!!!!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks so much Ken. It was quite the exp for me. I hope to do it all agian next year~ :)))

  • AmandaH

    AmandaH

    Awesome shot Lj… :o)

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Amanda. Thank you for this comment!!!

  • louisegreen

    louisegreen

    Superb shot!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Hi Louise. Many Thanks! :)

  • Svetlana Sewell

    Svetlana Sewell

    WOW – what a great shot – love it!

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Svetlana. It was a grand day for me.. ~:)

  • Paul Woloschuk

    Paul Woloschuk

    A fine shot. An excellent capture!
    I was lucky to take a Whale Watch trip out of Gloster, Mass several years ago, and the sight of these Humpbacks is one I’ll never forget.

  • LjMaxx replied

    Thanks Paul.. It was a day I will never forget. I went out fishing and this Whale was all around me for abit of time.. Talk about fishing huh.. lol. :)))

  • ronaldok555

    ronaldok555

    Excellent catch, love this shot!

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