“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything, than when we are at play.”
― Charles E. Schaefer

Above is another image of the Humpback whales off the coast of Baja, Mexico. This is a bit wider image and compliments yesterday’s image of the calf breaching. Since the cow is also in this frame, you can go back to my previous post to get a sense of the enormity of these animals. The cow is about five times the length and mass of the calf. In the order of about forty thousand kilograms!

I love how the calf essentially ‘erupts’ from the water and is almost completely airborne. The sheer mass of the cow prevents a full breach, in this image, yet I have other photos where, even she, is mostly in the air. But, that will have to wait till tomorrow.

The image also shows what is, apparently, typical behaviour, whereby the cow is exhaling through her blowhole as she emerges from the sea. As I witnessed it live, there was so much going on, and I was so awestruck, that detail was missed by me.

I’m honestly still in awe of these beautiful animals as they ‘played’ around us for nearly half an hour, the cow teaching the calf the ritual behaviour, with the calf being a seemingly willing pupil, as it leapt and splashed, imitating the cow. It’s an experience that will be permanently etched in my memory as a special moment.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD @ 70 mm
1/160 sec, f/6.3, ISO 200

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http://www.edlehming.com