A close up photo of the details of a humpback whale’s upper and lower jaw from a head on perspective, showing coloration, tubercles, barnacles, and whale lice. The whale had approached the boat and lifted its head out of the water. All state wildlife viewing regulations were followed as closely as possible during this encounter, and these photos were taken as part of a research collaboration with a local whale watch operation in 2019. It is illegal and dangerous to approach whales and dolphins within 100 yards in Washington state, though the whales don’t have to follow the rules themselves.
A close up photo of the details of a humpback whale’s upper and lower jaw from a head on perspective, showing coloration, tubercles, barnacles, and whale lice. The whale had approached the boat and lifted its head out of the water. All state wildlife viewing regulations were followed as closely as possible during this encounter, and these photos were taken as part of a research collaboration with a local whale watch operation in 2019. It is illegal and dangerous to approach whales and dolphins within 100 yards in Washington state, though the whales don’t have to follow the rules themselves.
Once upon a time I saw God in the eyes of a humpback whale while my reflection danced in the gloss of its skin
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