Just got home from two weeks in Hawaii, most of the time spent on Maui. Wow, the whales! So this happened. I was zoomed in to 400mm, photographing a calf when, shazam, mom rockets out of the water between us. This is full frame. I zoomed out as fast as I could and got 
this shot. The best whale photograph I’ve ever captured. So excited! Still pinching myself. That’s going on the wall!
Here’s the calf, practicing breaching like mom, building up those muscles for the long trek to Alaska.
The next morning, very early, we came upon a competition group, that’s where several males follow a female and fight for her attention. Two males (we assume) breached over and over again beside the boat. Lighting wasn’t great, but this one was the best shot. Amazing!
Another of the humpback whale’s showy surface behaviors is a powerful maneuver known as a peduncle throw. The peduncle is the muscle where the tail fluke connects to the body. A peduncle throw is a quick, powerful upward and sideways thrust of the fluke and peduncle, landing with a huge splash of water.
I’ve photographed humpback whales in Alaska, Mexico and now Maui, but this is by far the most beautiful fluke shot I’ve even got. The light is stunning, don’t you think?
Tail slapping.
Another cool fluke shot.
Post a comment below. Love to hear what you think!
Great images all.
Congratulations on getting them!
Thanks Mike. Always so fun to know you got the shot.
Kim, the shots are spectacular. Congrats. Hope you had a magnificent time off the water too. Keep up the great work. MJ
Thanks so much! It was a great trip.
WOW we were impressed. enjoyed each one.
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed them.
Great photo and lovely newsletter.
Thanks Linda. I’m glad you enjoy it.
Great pictures I would love to go to Hawaii.
Thanks Deb. It certainly is a great destination. I hope you can get there.
Your photos are great! Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Thanks for appreciating them. It means a lot.
Wow! That’s a understatement. Your photos are inspiring. Love them. What an amazing adventure and lasting memories y out have. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, an amazing experience. If you ever get the opportunity, take it.
Wow, great photo’s! It must be so impressive to see it live! Thanks for sharing!
It is. Absolutely amazing. Addictive actually.
Lol, that I can imagine!
Wow what shots ! Hard to watch and photograph at the same time,fantastic shots! Thanks for sharing
Yes, I missed a few breaches. I heard the others on the boat squeal while I was looking through the lens at something else.
Thanks for sharing. That is as close as I will ever get. You got some fantastic shots, memories for lifetime.
Joyce, yes, memories I’ll never forget. I’m so glad to be able to share them with you.