Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) ザトウクジラ -size 17m
Humpback Whales calve and mate in Hawaiian waters. They winter in Hawaii and travel to Alaskan waters for the summer. They return to Hawaii in the late fall to early winter.
Here is a mother and calf near the Napali Coast. Kauai 2009
A Humpback Whale breaches in front of Honopu Beach. Kauai 2019
The Humpback Whales do not come to Hawaii to feed. There is not much for them to eat in Hawaii. The calves nurse from their mothers and grow big enough for the trip North in the spring. It is rare to see a Humpback in Hawaii with its mouth open. I do think that they snack in Hawaii if they get a chance. Kauai 2007
A Humpback Whale coming up for a breach. Kauai 2011
A Humpback Whale Breaching Kauai 2008
This is called a peduncle trust when the back half of the whale is thrusted out of the water. It is generally considered as a warning to get away for anything that is too close. Kauai 2011
This Humpback Whale is slapping its tail. They can do this many times. It could be a warning, just trying to get attention, or an itchy tail. It is a good opportunity to see the patterns on the tail. Each tail has a different pattern ranging from all white to all black. Scars change the pattern from time to time. The scars are black on white and white on black. The round pink spots are fresh cookie cutter shark bites. They have more barnacles when they arrive in Hawaii than when they leave. Kauai 2011
This Humpback Whale is belly up slapping its tail. I like the way the water falls off of the tail. Kauai 2011
A Humpback Whale in the sunset. Kauai 2011