Dancing With The Waves

Thank you all for your kind comments. It is humbling to receive others’ praise. You all have my deep appreciation. While it sounds corny, it makes me happy to be able to share my fascination with whales with other like-minded people. A day spent with whales is always a good one!

Some notes about this particular humpback whale: notice that its pectoral fins are white on both the upper and lower sides of the flipper. This was somewhat unusual to see in a northern hemisphere humpback.

The magnificent whale in this photo was a true performer, breaching repeatedly in series of four or five breaches in succession. The whale would then take a resting series of breaths before doing a power dive—-fast, steep and with purpose. The performance went on for several hours only broken by some lazy periods of pec slaps while the whale lolled on the surface.

For those of you interested in capturing images of these breaches, look for power dives and the direction in which the humpbacks make them. Chances are that within a few moments you’ll see more of this exciting behavior as humpbacks have a habit of breaching repeatedly.

All the best,
Whalegeek

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Sharon and everyone else who kindly commented on my photo! Whalegeek

Most appreciative of your kind words, Whalegeek

As with you, Roberta, magnificent whales make me misty-eyed. There is something about them that fascinates me. Your positive comments are appreciated. Whalegeek

Ah, but the model in the photograph is the one most deserving of praise! Thank you.

Whalegeek

Thank you, Louise. I only WISH I could see whales like this on a regular basis. Actually, for a person who is so nutty over whales, I live smack dab in the middle of the USA. Yet second to my admiration for whales, Alaska is a place that keeps drawing me back. Thanks to a kindred spirit for whales!

Whalegeek

Yes, Ronnie, my sentiments are the same whenever in the company of whales. They are indeed a true blessing.

Whalegeek

Most appreciative thanks! Whalegeek

I am happy you enjoyed this whale’s exuberance! Whalegeek

Thank you, Cute! It amazes me that animals of this size are able to propel themselves out of the water with only a few strong flicks of their tail flukes. Thank you!

Thank you, Ken. I hope you go to the Great Land soon!

Thank you, JennyDean!

I appreciate your support very much. Whales never fail to fascinate me! The Feature meant a great deal as well. Many thanks to Alaska~Beyond Your Dreams.

Many thanks!

I appreciate your kind comments!

Thank you! The particular magic of that moment remains with me.

For those who are interested I have the entire breach of this whale captured, from the humpback whale shooting out of the sea to crashing into the water. Being new to RedBubble I’m not certain how to link my profile to those other photos. I’ll have to research that one.

In the meantime I appreciate you and everyone else making the effort to add your encouraging comments.

Thank you, John44 for your amusing observation on the whale photo’s name. Frankly, I hadn’t thought of that play-on-words angle but it does bring a smile to my face.

Ever since my fascination with whales began I have thought of them as dancing over and underneath the waves, their sheer in the moment exuberance culminating in great breaches.

I appreciate your comment very much.

Thank you ever so much for stopping by to comment. All things came together well that day spent on the water with the humpies.

Aw, that brought a grin to my face! Many thanks.

Thank you for stopping by for a look. You cannot possibly know how much your comment means to me. Very kind of you.

Thank you for the positive feedback.

I appreciate your positive comment very, very much.

Most kind of you, Eva. I enjoyed your photo profile; you have some lovely art shots that I wish I knew how to take!

One of these days I must travel to beautiful Norway. Norwegian blood runs in my veins from long gone immigrant relatives.

Many thanks!

A great big ‘THANK YOU!’ for this honor.

I am so happy this image has been so well received by the RedBubble community. Your comments are most appreciated!

Thank you for stopping by, Alexanderargyll. Keep up your great work with your photos. Your landscapes are so beautiful.

Wisdomfury, you must be a kindred soul when it comes to appreciation of humpback whales. I confess that the sight of whales breaching makes me misty eyed, both from the majesty os as well as the sheer exuberance of the animal. By the way, as a big fan of dogs, your profile photo (the soulful-eyed dog) is very appealing.

John, I appreciate your comments about the Dancing Humpie. Your work in your RedBubble profile exhibits such warmth…I’d say you are doing very well in “learning how to use this wonderful (camera) equipment!

Many thanks to you, Stephen for your comment as well as placing my work onto your Watchlist. You made my day! P.S. I enjoy the varied work your RedBubble profile spotlights. From wildlife to landscapes to the very fun models with waterfalls, it’s a nice collection.

You are so kind to comment, aquakina. This is one of my all-time favorite photos.

Thank you, KarenKSmith. I had to chuckle at how you mentioned that you are not missing film very much anymore in your RedBubble profile. Same here. With digital, my interest in photography has returned. You’ve captured beautiful images in Michigan of landscapes as well as of adorable dogs.

Tracy, I thank you for your comments. Most appreciated. BTW, I like your choice of subjects for photos from your flower macro images to kitties to art shots. Beautiful images, all.

Kind regards, Almark. I admire your Antelope Canyon series. Sigh…another spot to put onto my ‘must see’ list. Thank you for stopping by and placing “Dancing…” on your Favorites list.

Thank you, Pamela. I am both honored and pleased to have my favorite humpback whale featured in a group.

Andrew, I truly appreciate your thoughtful comments about this photo. I cannot stress to you how being in the company of whales makes my heart sing so when someone takes the time to express their admiration of whales’ beauty, it means a great deal to me.

I must say that I enjoyed your profile images on RedBubble. To see a part of my own country through the eyes of a visitor brings a fresh perspective to what I, a resident of the US, see. Glad you posted your photos!

Many thanks to you, Jens.

Thank you, Elana. This whale’s image brings all the exhilaration of being in its company back to me. I am happy it gave you pleasure as well!

Wow, I am honored! Made my day. Most appreciative thanks!

Thank you, Ghelly. I’m happy you liked this special humpback whale.

Karl, thank you ever so much!

WaleskaL, on behalf of this humpback, I humbly accept this honor!!! Thank you ever so much for taking note of this special whale.

Thank you, EDGYONE. That was some performing whale!

Thank you ever so much, Cindirelli. I think you are a budding whale “geek!” I too am in awe of these magnificent creatures.

Thank you, auntydakine. You must see some nice whales out your way in the wintertime.

Thank you, terezadelpilar! I enjoyed looking at your Portugal portfolio…beautiful images of a beautiful country.

Thank you, Mariann, ever so much. This is one of my favorite images that I’ve ever taken.

Thank you, Pete for your kind comments. I enjoy your sense of humor…love those two squirrels enjoying a massage on your Bubble portfolio page.

Thank you ever so much, RobertCharles!

Brian, thank you very much! You deserve compliments for how well you have captured the essence of your part of Canada in your portfolio. Also, I think your journal pieces detailing photographic techniques from tripods to aperture are well worthwhile. It’s so nice of you to share your knowledge.

Hey, that’s a great way to start my Friday! Thank you ever so much!

George, your kind comments mean so much to me. Humble thanks!

Thank you, dear erika15. I was also awestruck when in the presence of this great whale. No doubt about it, one feels humbled in their presence.

Thank you, Globalphotos!

John, you are so kind. I was thinking today that I must get back up to Petersburg for more whale-geekdom! Never can get enough of those whales.

You are welcome, Bettina but the credit must go to the majestic whale that kept breaching and breaching and breaching all afternoon.

Thank you, elphonline!

Thank you, Anne. This is one of my most favored images. I’m happy you enjoyed it, too.

Thank you, zumi. I owe it all to the whales of Frederick Sound in Alaska. Can’t get enough of them. Hey, I enjoyed your photos of the great outdoors. You posted fine images of the Canadian landscape.

Couldn’t agree with you more, zumi about being in the out of doors with magnificent animals in spectacular settings that take one’s breath away. Whales can be very difficult to photograph. On the particular trip that produced this series of shots a couple of the eight-hour days on the water were kind of blah with just whale tails and not much else going on. Two of the days were fantastic, yielding great photos as well as experiences being with the whales. One never knows when the whales will turn on and put on a show. My husband and I are headed up to Petersburg, AK this August for more looks at whales and assorted wildlife. We’ll see what we can see. The way I look at it is, any day spent on the water with whales is a good one!

Good on ya, zumi! If I can be of any help to you in answering questions, please feel free to contact me. Petersburg is one of my favorite tiny Alaskan fishing villages. It has everything going for it; glorious mountains, a picturesque working fishing harbor, excellent rain forest trails on the island, nearby LeConte Glacier (I have kayaked the fjord, been on a great small boat trip in the fjord and flown over the glacier—-it is spectacular and all these excursions are recommended) and superb whale watching from a tiny fleet of small six-passenger whale watching boats. The best whale watching near P’burg is late July to mid-August. Book accommodations and whale watching early as they tend to fill up quickly with return visitors. One note: you mentioned that you may be returning to AK soon. This year you may find some great deals since our bum economy is hurting the travel industry in Alaska.

If you wish to have some up close and personal bear viewing, there are many places I can suggest for you as well.

Hope you have a great journey when it all comes together for you!

Blamo, there is something about whales that speaks to many of us. You are now officially designated a whale “geek!” :-))) Thank you for your kind comments.

Thank you, Lucindawind. It was a day I’ll never forget, filled with whales behaving acrobatically. One of my best days ever.

Yes, bev, long may whales be with us. Thank you for your kind comments. I am happy you enjoyed this image.

Thank you very much, Alana. Say hello to your North Atlantic whales for me!

Thank you, Andrew for this honor. I’m pleased as punch to see this beautiful humpback up there with all the stunning images in your Features.

Thank you, WendyJC. I must admit that as many times as this whale geek has seen whales breaching, I NEVER lose that sense of exhilaration that comes with the experience. They are magnificent creatures. BTW, you have wonderful avian images in your portfolio…some terrific birds in flight in particular.

Garth, thank you very, very much. You live in an area I consider one of Earth’s paradises. Thanks for stopping by.

Thank you ever so much, Dennis!

OldBirch, I’m happy you liked this big old whale. If I had to choose among my 10 most favored images, this would most certainly be one of the photographs I love best of all.

Thank you, Pamela! Very nice of you to write.

Jeffrae, I’m making you an honorary “whale geek” since you have such a keen interest in whales. I hope your wish of seeing them in the wild will come true. As for me, I cannot get enough of them. Thanks for posting your kind comments!

Thank you, MIchele. I hope your dream of seeing a humpback in the wild will come true very soon!

Thank you, Scott. I appreciate your comment!

Tallow, you are so very kind to comment on this image. Whales fascinate me so I can understand your desire to see whales in the wild. I hope your dream will be fulfilled!

Thank you, Jesper. Very kind of you to comment with your encouraging words!

Sad news about the whale beaching in S Africa, Jeffrae. You are an honorary whale geek since you appreciate them so much! :-)))

Thank you stevendeslow. Being with whales is one of my favorite things to do but this moment was icing on the proverbial cake!

Thank you ever so much, LjMaxx. You have brought a smile to my face. Whales knock me out!

Sadly, there are no whales in Lake Michigan either--Booo. I live near Chicago and sometimes wonder what I’m doing here without beloved whales nearby. :))) Anyway, thank you for your supportive comments. I hope you get to see whales some day in the wild. Nothing quite beats the exhilaration of a breaching whale in mid-air. Keep up your good work, too. You have a keen eye for unusual imagery as well as a fine appreciation for color.

Thank you, Gail! Oh, how wonderful it must be living so near eagles. Have you ever been out to watch the orca and humpbacks near Port McNeill/Telegraph Cove? Gads there are some wonderful cetaceans near your neck of the woods.

jesika, thank you for your kind comments. I hope you will indeed see whales in the wild. I don’t think one is ever the same after being in their presence. All the best to you!

Thank you ever so much, VictoryiaN. Back at ya for your wonderful street dog images. You are doing a service by publishing the plight of street animals around the world.

Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Most appreciated!

Jen, I hope you get out to see whales and photograph them. It takes much patience and often a steady set of hands while on a pitching deck. Sometimes one gets lucky with calm seas and a cooperative whale or two as this beautiful dancer was. Thank you for writing such positive thoughts.

Thank you, steppeland! Yes indeed, I treasure this particular whale for the time I was able to spend with it.

Kathy, thank you. Any day with whales is a great day!

Ann, will you put any whale watching on your bear-ans-salmon itinerary? I love bears but whales really RULE! :-))

Thank you for this honor. I truly appreciate it.

Thank you so much! Yes, being in the company of whales is quite something else but when they turn on the acrobatics, it gets very exciting.

David, thank you for stopping by to comment on this whale. I really appreciate it!

Shelagh, thank you ever so much. I’m pretty smitten with whales so I appreciate it when others enjoy looking at them, too.

Thank you for sharing your memories of dancing for the simple joy of it, Roy. I truly appreciate your supportive words, too. What a happy, affirming, positive sentiment you have in your t-shirt that proclaims “In You I Rejoice.” You must make people you know happy!

Thank you, Ian. You’ve been doing quite well with your images. Started photographing in MAY??? Look out world! Cheers!