Virginia Beach has seen a record number of humpback whales this winter. Hop onboard for a cool winter wildlife show: whales lunging, breaching, tail-bobbing and flipper slapping next to your boat.
Photo By: Mark Jennings, Virginia Aquarium Education Dept.
Photo By: Kristin Rayfield with Rudee Tours
Photo By: Kristin Rayfield with Rudee Tours
Photo By: Kristin Rayfield with Rudee Tours
Photo By: Kristin Rayfield with Rudee Tours
Photo By: Chris Erney
Photo By: Chris Erney
Humpback whales are true acrobatic animals. Here's a little breaching action: A humpback whale leaps out of the water.
The humpback whale is a baleen whale, with extra long pectoral fins. Here's a close-up of its knobby head.
A humpback whale raises its tail flukes out of the water. The result: a tail-slapping good show.
Thar she blows! This humpback whale is just a few yards from a boat.
Gulp! A warmer-than-usual winter -- plus, more plentiful bait like sandlance -- may explain the larger numbers of humpback whales this year.
The humpback whale has a fluked tail. Check out the wavy trailing edges.
The humpback whales have typically been spotted in pods of 2.
The humpback has 2 nostrils -- blow and dorsal fin -- at the top of its head. They use these to breathe air at the surface of the water. A double stream of spray is the visual result.
And if you miss the whales, head back in the summer: These guys will be waiting.
