Humpback Whales Make a Splash

This photo taken near Palmer Station, Anvers Island, Antarctica on February 1, 2010, catches a Humpback whale just in time to make a splash. Humpback whales are quite the show-stoppers, frequently performing aerial displays, such as breaching or jumping out of the water, or slapping the water's surface with their fins, tails or heads. Their fins can reach up to 15 feet in length, providing better maneuverability and steering capabilities. Adult females, which are larger than adult males, have bodies that reach lengths of up to 60 feet.

Image credit: Brian Nelson, National Science Foundation