Humpback Whale Tail
I am uploading these next two photographs to show you the difference between photographing whales on a brilliant, sunshiny day as opposed to one that is gray and overcast. Don't get me wrong ... if your objective is just to observe them, any day is magnificent! However, my preference would be to shoot them on a day when the sky and water are brilliant blue and the water is sparkling with the reflected sunshine.
This was taken on the 9AM trip on August 2rd ... our first trip out to see them. This time we turned north after leaving St. Anthony harbour. Surprisingly, some of the same whales we saw this day we would see again the following day but much farther to the south. Maybe you wonder how I know that? Well, humback whales are one of the few species of whales that can be recognized by the markings on their tails. Put that together with the fact that the tail really moves quite slowly down through the water and that I had photographed quite a few tails on this day, it's easy to see how even an untrained observer like myself could recognize a particular whale from one day to the next! Looking at the photographs I've taken of the tails, I've even taken to naming them myself. This one I call Twisty. Look at the thick edge of the tail fluke on the left side and you'll notice it's not a smooth, continuous line ... but rather takes a 'twist', almost like it was broken at one time and didn't grow back right.
There were about 25 to 30 humpbacks here on this day together with lots of Atlantic White-beaked dolphins An amazing sight. If you haven't already, you should definitely experience it one of thes days. If you've already done it, do it again ... you won't be disappointed!
I chose to sit on the lower deck of the tour boat, rather than the flybridge. Wouldn't get a shot like this up there. Down there you're only a few feet above the water. Not so much motion from the rocking of the boat either.
I don't usually print very many of my photographs, but I think I'm going to have to do one or two of these whale pictures. If you like you can View On Black
Humpback Whale Tail
I am uploading these next two photographs to show you the difference between photographing whales on a brilliant, sunshiny day as opposed to one that is gray and overcast. Don't get me wrong ... if your objective is just to observe them, any day is magnificent! However, my preference would be to shoot them on a day when the sky and water are brilliant blue and the water is sparkling with the reflected sunshine.
This was taken on the 9AM trip on August 2rd ... our first trip out to see them. This time we turned north after leaving St. Anthony harbour. Surprisingly, some of the same whales we saw this day we would see again the following day but much farther to the south. Maybe you wonder how I know that? Well, humback whales are one of the few species of whales that can be recognized by the markings on their tails. Put that together with the fact that the tail really moves quite slowly down through the water and that I had photographed quite a few tails on this day, it's easy to see how even an untrained observer like myself could recognize a particular whale from one day to the next! Looking at the photographs I've taken of the tails, I've even taken to naming them myself. This one I call Twisty. Look at the thick edge of the tail fluke on the left side and you'll notice it's not a smooth, continuous line ... but rather takes a 'twist', almost like it was broken at one time and didn't grow back right.
There were about 25 to 30 humpbacks here on this day together with lots of Atlantic White-beaked dolphins An amazing sight. If you haven't already, you should definitely experience it one of thes days. If you've already done it, do it again ... you won't be disappointed!
I chose to sit on the lower deck of the tour boat, rather than the flybridge. Wouldn't get a shot like this up there. Down there you're only a few feet above the water. Not so much motion from the rocking of the boat either.
I don't usually print very many of my photographs, but I think I'm going to have to do one or two of these whale pictures. If you like you can View On Black