Humpback whales (spouting)

Megaptera novaeangliae

Port St. Johns, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Nikon F100, Provia 400, Nikon 80 - 400 VR

Humpbacks are easy to see when they breach, but are more often spotted as they periodically surface to spout, sometimes continuing to cruise along on the surface of the water for a considerable distance.

Here three whales are cruising together, and once has just spouted. The spout is an abrupt exhalation of moist air and water, most often occurring just after the whale has surfaced or before it dives.