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Title: Close

Location:  Sydney, Australia

I have taken thousands of images of whales swimming over the years and sometimes they are useful to present the most common view you are likely to have of them. This adult whale had come close to our boat and you can see scarring on it’s back. You can also see barnacles attached to the skin (the small disc-shaped lumps) and a few white marks where barnacles have been detached.

Scarring is sometimes caused by boats or predators. Orcas hunt humpback whales, especially the very young and are sometimes known to take a bite out on a humpback to see how able it is to defend itself. Male humpbacks compete for females and scarring can result from these engagements.

This image also shows the tiny dorsal fin which is approximately two-thirds of the way down the whales’ body.

Please refer to the “Sizing Guide” page for more information.