2. Humpbacks Breaching

Humpback Breaches/Humpback Whales

The most impressive sight is a 40 ton whale jumping clear out of the water. There is no answer to why these animals do breach, but it could be for communication as they slam down in the water it makes a tremendous sound through the water, or it could be to knock whale parasites from their skin and it could just be fun!
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Humpback Breaching off the west end of Santa Cruz Island.<br /> This is the first in the sequence of one breach.
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Humpback Breaching off the west end of Santa Cruz Island.
This is the first in the sequence of one breach.

humpback whaleshumpbackswhaleswhaledolphinbreachingwhale breacheswhales breachingstock photographyanthony lombardiliquidpixliquidpix photographyocean wildlifeocean sceneschannel islandsmarine sanctuary

  • Humpback Whale breaching in the early summer in the Santa Barbara Channel.
  • Humpack Whale breaching.<br /> This is one whale breaching!
  • Amazing clear out of the water breach, showing how strong they are to get 40 tons of whale out of the water.
  • A juvenile humpback breaching off Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island, CA.
  • A humpback about to lay a heavy "chin slap" to the surface of the water.<br /> The noise that these animals make when hitting the water is amazing how much power they have.
  • Humpback Breaching off the west end of Santa Cruz Island.<br /> This is the first in the sequence of one breach.
  • A magnificent spiraling breach.
  • Reaching for the sky, this humpback arches its back as it comes out of the water.
  • Humpback Breaching off the west end of Santa Cruz Island.<br /> This is the second in the sequence of one breach.
  • Humpback Breaching off the west end of Santa Cruz Island.<br /> This is the third in the sequence of one breach.
  • A juvenile humpback breaching off Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island, CA.
  • A "laid back" breach!<br /> Note the long lines or ventral pleats on the underside of its lower jaw that run down the whales navel. They allow the bottom throat to expand over four times its normal size as the whale opens its mouth to feed, allowing large amounts of saltwater and fish to rush into their mouths.
  • Humpback totally laying back as he re-enters the water.
  • Humpback breaching close, they often spin their bodies as they come back down into the water.
  • "Becher's Breacher"<br /> A juvenile humpback breaching off Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island, CA.
  • A juvenile humpback breaching off Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island, CA.
  • A humpback whale about to do a "chin slap" on the water.
  • A distant Humpback breaching clear out of the water.
  • A juvenile humpback breaching off Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island, CA.
  • A juvenile humpback breaching off Becher's Bay, Santa Rosa Island, CA.
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