ANIMALS

Whale Watchers Amused as Sneaky Whale Surfaces Behind Them While They’re Distracted

When Whale Watchers Became the Spectacle: Epic Encounter Turns the Tables on Hopeful Observers

Embarking on a Journey: Whale Watchers set sail to San Ignacio Lagoon on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Eagerly positioned in their boat, armed with cameras, the marine enthusiasts patiently awaited an awe-inspiring encounter. However, their astonishment nearly slipped away as a cunning behemoth decided to play a mischievous trick. Amidst their search for whales across the boundless ocean, a majestic creature stealthily emerged from behind, catching them off guard.

Image source: CATERS

The nature enthusiasts, fortunately, experienced a stroke of luck as they swiveled their heads just in the nick of time, capturing stunning photographs of the majestic creature. The humpback whale presented them with a second chance to witness its grandeur, cleverly anticipating that the eager observers might have missed the initial opportunity.

Image source: CATERS

Thankfully, the vigilant crew was captured in a photograph, their cameras poised and anticipation palpable. However, their attention momentarily veered in the wrong direction, nearly causing them to miss the awe-inspiring encounter. Just a few feet away from their boat, the whale emerged from the depths, leaving them in awe.

Image source: CATERS

Fortunate timing graced the tourists as they swiftly redirected their gaze, catching sight of the colossal humpback whale mere feet away before it disappeared beneath the surface once more. While the crew, facing forward with cameras aimed at the vast expanse of the ocean, awaited the moment with anticipation, images captured from another vessel revealed the sly whale playfully poking its rostrum out from beneath the shimmering waters.

Eric J. Smith, a director, and photographer, expertly captured the heart-stopping moment of the whale watchers’ near encounter during their visit to San Ignacio Lagoon in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The 49-year-old resident of Los Angeles described the scene vividly, as the massive creature subtly and stealthily emerged from beneath the water, raising its head to quietly survey its surroundings. “I was on another panga a few dozen feet away and managed to capture the moment just as everyone began to realize how near she was.”

Image source: CATERS

As soon as everyone turned their attention, she vanished from sight, leading to resounding cheers and uncontrollable laughter. The key to successful whale photography lies in remaining vigilant and ever-prepared. It’s easy to become complacent during a whale watching excursion, given the abundance of waiting involved. Yet, the moment you let your guard down, a remarkable encounter takes place, akin to breaching the surface. This captivating close-up showcases a humpback whale off the coast of Mexico, a species known to travel distances of up to 16,000 miles and inhabit oceans worldwide. Adored by whale watchers, they are renowned for their surface-breaking antics, adding to their charm.

Image source: CATERS

“I was in another panga [boat] a few dozen feet away and caught the moment right before everyone realized she was so close. Whale photography involves a lot of luck, but the key is to always be on alert and ready.”

The whaling industry posed a severe threat to the existence of humpback whales and other magnificent cetaceans, pushing them dangerously close to extinction. However, since the global ban on hunting was implemented in 1966, there has been a gradual resurgence in the whale population, offering a glimmer of hope for these majestic creatures.

ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.