Humpback Whale Competitive Group Underwater Bubble Display, #04524

Male North Pacific humpback whale streams a trail of bubbles. The primary male escort whale (center) creates a curtain of bubbles underwater as it swims behind a female (right), with other challenging males trailing behind in a competitive group. The bubbles may be a form of intimidation from the primary escort towards the challenging escorts. Maui, Hawaii, USA, Megaptera novaeangliae, natural history stock photograph, photo id 04524
Male North Pacific humpback whale streams a trail of bubbles. The primary male escort whale (center) creates a curtain of bubbles underwater as it swims behind a female (right), with other challenging males trailing behind in a competitive group. The bubbles may be a form of intimidation from the primary escort towards the challenging escorts. Maui, Hawaii, USA

Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 04524
Format: Digital 2:3
Keywords: action, active group, animal, balaenopteridae, behavior, bubble display, bubble streaming, bubbles, cetacea, cetacean, competitive rowdy group, courtship, endangered, endangered threatened species, exhalation, hawaii, hawaiian islands, hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary, heat run, hump back whale, humpback, humpback whale, humpback whale bubble display, humpbacked whale, mammal, marine, marine mammal, maui, megaptera, megaptera novaeangliae, mysticete, mysticeti, national marine sanctuaries, nature, north pacific humpback whale, novaeangliae, ocean, oceans, pacific, research, rorqual, rowdy group, sea, social, underwater, underwater bubbles, usa, whale, whale behavior, whale bubble display, wildlife
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Copyright © Phillip Colla / HWRF, all rights reserved worldwide.
This professional quality stock photo can be licensed in high resolution form by contacting the photographer: Phillip Colla, photos@oceanlight.com, (760) 707-7153, more info and photographer bio.
This photograph was taken during Hawaii Whale Research Foundation research activities conducted under NOAA/NMFS and State of Hawaii permit. Its use is subject to certain restrictions. Please contact the photographer for more information.