Parent Photos

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Two blue whales, a mother and her calf, swim through the open ocean in this aerial photograph.  The calf is blowing (spouting, exhaling) with a powerful column of spray.  The blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on Earth, Balaenoptera musculus, San Diego, California
Two blue whales, a mother and her calf, swim through the open ocean in this aerial photograph. The calf is blowing (spouting, exhaling) with a powerful column of spray. The blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on Earth.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02304  
Blue whales, adult and juvenile (likely mother and calf), swimming together side by side underwater in the open ocean, Balaenoptera musculus, San Diego, California
Blue whales, adult and juvenile (likely mother and calf), swimming together side by side underwater in the open ocean.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 34568  
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge.  This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05909  
Blue whale, adult and juvenile (likely mother and calf), swimming together side by side underwater in the open ocean, Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whale, adult and juvenile (likely mother and calf), swimming together side by side underwater in the open ocean.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 01964  
California Sea Lion with Apparent Cookie Cutter Shark Wounds, Underwater, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)
California Sea Lion with Apparent Cookie Cutter Shark Wounds, Underwater.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39975  
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas.  The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree.
Species: Giant sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum
Location: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23259  
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas.  The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree.
Species: Giant sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum
Location: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23273  
Blue whale, mother and calf, Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whale, mother and calf.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 02301  
Blue whales: mother/calf pair w/ adult,  Baja California (Mexico), Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whales: mother/calf pair w/ adult, Baja California (Mexico).
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 03354  
Four blue whales (including calf) socializing,  Baja California (Mexico), Balaenoptera musculus
Four blue whales (including calf) socializing, Baja California (Mexico).
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 03356  
A parent and child admire the fascinating kelp forest tank at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, California, Macrocystis pyrifera
A parent and child admire the fascinating kelp forest tank at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, California.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Image ID: 10308  
Blue whale, mother and calf, swimming at surface between dives, open ocean, aerial view, Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whale, mother and calf, swimming at surface between dives, open ocean, aerial view.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 02302  
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas.  The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree.
Species: Giant sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum
Location: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23260  
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas.  The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree.
Species: Giant sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum
Location: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23261  
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas.  The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree.
Species: Giant sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum
Location: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23270  
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas.  The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
A giant sequoia tree, soars skyward from the forest floor, lit by the morning sun and surrounded by other sequioas. The massive trunk characteristic of sequoia trees is apparent, as is the crown of foliage starting high above the base of the tree.
Species: Giant sequoia tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum
Location: Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 23289  
Blade Runner, the injured North Pacific humpback whale, is seen with her calf swimming alongside. This humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge.  This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced by her calf in the background. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Blade Runner, the injured North Pacific humpback whale, is seen with her calf swimming alongside. This humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced by her calf in the background. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05907  
Weedy scorpionfish.  Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus, Rhinopias frondossa
Weedy scorpionfish. Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus.
Species: Weedy scorpionfish, Rhinopias frondossa
Image ID: 12897  
Weedy scorpionfish.  Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus, Rhinopias frondossa
Weedy scorpionfish. Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus.
Species: Weedy scorpionfish, Rhinopias frondossa
Image ID: 12898  
Wild discus.  The female wild discuss will lay several hundred eggs and guard them until they hatch.  Once they emerge, the young fish attach themselves to the sides of their parents for the first few weeks of their lives, feeding on a milky secretion produced by glands in the parents flanks, Symphysodon discus
Wild discus. The female wild discuss will lay several hundred eggs and guard them until they hatch. Once they emerge, the young fish attach themselves to the sides of their parents for the first few weeks of their lives, feeding on a milky secretion produced by glands in the parents flanks.
Species: Wild discus, Symphysodon discus
Image ID: 13953  
Wild discus.  The female wild discuss will lay several hundred eggs and guard them until they hatch.  Once they emerge, the young fish attach themselves to the sides of their parents for the first few weeks of their lives, feeding on a milky secretion produced by glands in the parents flanks, Symphysodon discus
Wild discus. The female wild discuss will lay several hundred eggs and guard them until they hatch. Once they emerge, the young fish attach themselves to the sides of their parents for the first few weeks of their lives, feeding on a milky secretion produced by glands in the parents flanks.
Species: Wild discus, Symphysodon discus
Image ID: 13954  
Wild discus.  The female wild discuss will lay several hundred eggs and guard them until they hatch.  Once they emerge, the young fish attach themselves to the sides of their parents for the first few weeks of their lives, feeding on a milky secretion produced by glands in the parents flanks, Symphysodon discus
Wild discus. The female wild discuss will lay several hundred eggs and guard them until they hatch. Once they emerge, the young fish attach themselves to the sides of their parents for the first few weeks of their lives, feeding on a milky secretion produced by glands in the parents flanks.
Species: Wild discus, Symphysodon discus
Image ID: 13955  
Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus, Rhinopias
Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus.
Species: Rhinopias
Image ID: 14496  
Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus, Rhinopias
Tropical scorpionfishes are camoflage experts, changing color and apparent texture in order to masquerade as rocks, clumps of algae or detritus.
Species: Rhinopias
Image ID: 14497  
Blue whale, mother and calf, Balaenoptera musculus, San Diego, California
Blue whale, mother and calf.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02303  
Blue whale mother and calf,  Baja California (Mexico), Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whale mother and calf, Baja California (Mexico).
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 03350  
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge.  This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'.  This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05910  
Blue whales, mother and calf, Baja California, Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whales, mother and calf, Baja California.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 03033  
Blue whale mother (above) and calf (below), surfacing,  Baja California (Mexico), Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whale mother (above) and calf (below), surfacing, Baja California (Mexico).
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 03345  
Blue whale mother and calf,  Baja California (Mexico), Balaenoptera musculus
Blue whale mother and calf, Baja California (Mexico).
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 03346  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.