Photo: Jodi Frediani/CATERS NEWS
A boat full of whale watchers got a spectacular view when a humpback whale breached close to their ship.
In a series of photos of the stunning event in Monterey Bay, California, the whale — a 4-year-old female named Murph — jumps out of the ocean, her large body towering over the boat full of camera-ready whale watchers.
In one picture, Murph appears to be feet from the tour boat, almost touching the vessel with a waving flipper. After putting on a show, Murph flipped her tail and dove back into the water, leaving a large splash behind her.
Jodi Frediani/CATERS NEWS
Fredani, who has been swimming with and photographing humpbacks for 18 years, captured similar scenes before in Monterey Bay, including anincident in 2018when a different humpback whale came in close proximity to a tour boat.
She said humpback whales can often find themselves close to boats while trying to capture fish.
Fredian told PEOPLE that she hoped her photos “inspire people to want to protect humpback whales, their food source, and our oceans.”
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“Nothing makes me happier than watching and photographing lunge-feeding humpback whales,” she added. “The magic and surprise as their massive heads suddenly rocket skyward from the deep fills me with joy every time.”
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The humpback whales can often be spotted in Monterey Bay between April and late December before moving to warmer waters off Mexico during winter, according to theMonterey Bay Aquarium. Humpback whales often eat shrimp-like crustaceans or krill and small fish.
The United States listed humpback whales as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1970, per theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
source: people.com
