Common Names
- Humpback Whale (en)
- Gubarta (es)
- Baleine à Bosse (fr)
- Buckelwal (de)
Taxonomy
- Artiodactyla
- Cetacea
- Balaenopteridae
- 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.
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.
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.
Rarely seen so close. Flapping pectoral fin on the water.
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-25
NIKON Z 6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S; Focal Length 135mm; Exposure 1/2500; Aperture f/20; Iso 2000;
Humpback Whale about to dive showing fluke
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-23
NIKON Z 6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S; Focal Length 200mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/18; Iso 640;
Humpback Whale showing its fluke shortly before diving.
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-23
NIKON Z 6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S; Focal Length 200mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/18; Iso 640;
Individual Humpback Whales are identified based on the pattern on lower side of the fluke.
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-23
NIKON Z 6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S; Focal Length 200mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/18; Iso 640;
Cape Spear, St, John’s - 2017-08-19
NIKON D500; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f6.3; Iso 360;
Cape Spear, St, John’s - 2017-08-19
NIKON D500; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f6.3; Iso 250;
Quidi Vidi Harbour - 2017-08-12
NIKON D500; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f6.3; Iso 200;
Quidi Vidi Harbour - 2017-08-12
NIKON D500; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 600mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f6.3; Iso 250;
First sighting of a Humpback whale. Showing its fluke before diving for food.
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2013-08-19
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215mm; Focal Length 148mm; Exposure 1/160; Aperture f5.6; Iso 100;
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