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.

We had followed these two whales for several hours as they made their way north on their annual migration toward their mating and birthing grounds in Mozambique. Here they are passing the river mouth of Port St. John's in the background, with the Port St. John's lighthouse visible on the headland.