Leaping out of the water in majestic fashion, these acrobatic female humpback whales seem to fly with the diminutive grace of a diminutive-sized dolphin.
This image shows a 50ft, 45in humpback completely piercing the water – it almost reached 40ft in the air.
Wildlife photographer Jon Corпforth stood just 30 feet above the ground to capture these amazing images.
Majestic: A female humpback whale bursts to the surface at Frederick Sod on the Alexander Islands, southeast Alaska
Food frenzy: Humpback whales catch herring in Angoon in Frederick Sod, in the Alexander Islands, southeast Alaska
Corforth, 39, from Seattle, took the breathtaking photos while visiting Frederick Sod, in southeast Alaska. “They are really amazing creative people to be able to get that close,” he said.
‘They are incredibly creative people – they care about us just like we care about them.
“There was a moment when it actually came underneath me and it looked like it was trying to swallow one of the boats.
‘But luckily they are too smart to mistake a boat for their main prey.’
The paintings also show the sisterhood of marine mammals that feed on the ‘bubble tank’. The whales feed from the huge schools of herring that spawn in the area by acting in unison to herd the fish.
One or two balls stay 500 ft underwater and blow air bubbles in a circular pattern, trapping the prey so the rest of the 12-strong group can scoop them up.
Giant monsters: Mr Corпforth tracked the whales for more than 12 weeks over an annual period to take these photos
Ritual: Special group of women gather in the same place at the same time each year
Belly-down: The 45-inch-tall whales appear to be able to throw themselves into the air as nimbly as a performing dolphin
The special female group forms in the same location every year AND each creature performs the exact same role each time.
“It is a mystery why women come together this way,” Mr. Corпforth said. ‘They may have a matriarchal society like some pods of killer whales.
“I have seen the same females doing the same job of dividing water to create bubbles over and over again.
‘Bubble tanks are created very deep below the surface and can be as large as 75m in diameter – to catch schools of herring enormoυs.
‘They are such incredibly powerful beings that they can do this every to five minutes for that long.’
Moby click: Photographer Jonп Corпforth takes pictures of charging humpback whales
Mr Corпforth observed the whales for more than 12 weeks over many years to take these photos. On his most recent trip, he traveled 120 miles by boat and spent three days endlessly searching the ocean to finally find his prize.
“Humpback whales are amazing mammals,” he said. “They floated to the surface for a second – and then they disappeared with the waves again.
‘It’s short but engaging – and worth every effort. When people see these photos, I hope they will understand how glorious it is to be in their presence.’
