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.

The spout is an abrupt exhalation of moist air and water, most often occurring just after the whale has surfaced or just before it dives, as here.

The spouts can also be very beautiful when, again as here, they refract the light of the sun into a rainbow of colors as they rise and dissipate into the air.