Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) :: Muuuh Wildlife Photography

Humpback Whale - Megaptera novaeangliae

The humpback whale is a species found in all oceans, migrating up to 25'000 km each year. Humpbacks feed in polar waters and mate and give birth in tropical and subtropical waters.

Common Names

Humpback Whale (en)
Gubarta (es)
Baleine à Bosse (fr)
Buckelwal (de)

How to Identify

If lucky, I see them breaching the water surface and with a glimpse on their long, uniquely shaped, thin pectoral fins they are easy to identify. Also, the way how they jump and fall back is a good clue. If they surface only to breath, the small dorsal fins and the characteristic display of the tail fin are hints.

Where & When to Spot

I saw them on a boat trip near Tadoussac in the middle of Saint Lawrence River, and frequently from the beach along the coast near St. John's, NL where they can get pretty close to the beach.

Humpback Whale Flapping Pectoral Fin

Humpback Whales flapping the pectoral fin can be observed quite frequently. What makes this recording extraordinary is how close the cameraman was while recording. Note with which power the fin hits the water surface and because the whale swims on its side, you can see the whale’s right eye.

Recorded August 23, 2021 in Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park by Karl-Heinz Müller

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