Humpback Whale (female)

Description:

Humpback Whales are one of the massive mammals of the ocean. Their size can be compared to a bus. They can "easily be identified by their stocky body, obvious hump, black dorsal coloring and elongated pectoral fins. The head and lower jaw are covered with knobs called tubercles, which are hair follicles and are characteristic of the species. The fluked tail, which typically rises above the surface when diving, has wavy trailing edges." (Wiki)

Habitat:

Breaching in the waters off Gantheaume Point, Broome.

Notes:

This is a female breaching. Pic 1 is of her crashing back into the water near the boat we were on. She has been in the waters off Gantheaume Point since giving birth to her calf. This was taken not overly long before they would leave here and head off on their journey southwards. Male Humpback Whales are known for their complex, long distance traveling songs. Our guides passed on this wonderful pieces of information: Each year a new song is made up and an old one is dropped. And, when the west coast Whales stop singing a song, the east coast Whales start singing it. They never sing the same song at the same time. For Humpback Whales "The varying patterns on the tail flukes distinguish individual animals." (Wiki) Further info: http://www.washarkattacks.net/humpback-a... Further reading: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-27/hu... Further reading: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au...