Adult Gray Whale approaches side of small boat to interact with people. One of a few habituated Gray Whales.

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Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is approx. 40 feet long and 40 tons in weight. This is a baleen whale. It feeds by gathering up sediment from shallow areas of the sea with its mouth (usually on it's right side. It filters out the sediment with baleen to isolate the food (usually small crustaceans and Amphipods (tiny shrimp-like creatures). They spend the summer in the Chukchi Sea and Bering Strait areas. Breeding occurs in warmer seas. They mate and deliver calves in lagoons along the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. This one was photographed in the San Ignacio Lagoon. Their skin has many gray patches and white mottling present. lifespan is 55-70 years. Image made with Nikon D810 and Zeiss 28mm lens at 1/250s, f/9, ISO 800. Polarizer used on lens.

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Size: 6673px × 4460px
Location: San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja Peninsula, Mexico
Photo credit: © Darius Wampler / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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