Humpback Whale Tail

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 4, 2015132 views8 comments

This one of many humpback whales photographed in Queen Charlotte Strait, B.C. last October. These animals were congregating in a relatively small area due to the abundance of juvenile Pacific herring. This whale thankfully decided to fluke in front of that gorgeous mountain backdrop. Don't we love it when wildlife cooperates with our "artistic vision"? ;) Thankful for any feedback.
~Camera and Settings~
Body: Pentax K5iis
Lens: Pentax DA 55-300mm
107.5mm, ISO 200, f/4.0, 1/800 sec. Minor adjustments to exposure due to low morning light and slight sharpening of water coming off the whale's tail.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Cay-Uwe Kulzer on December 5, 2015 at 2:23 AM

Katie,

a classic setup which I like due to the nice background inclusion and also the flying seagulls. If it is OK for you to do some digital rework I may consider to place the upper left bird a bit lower in the frame or create a bit more of canvas at the top, which could easly been done. If you decide to do so, I would also clone away the one white spot at the mountains ( I guess also a flying bird ).

Registered on January 27, 2004, 494 Posts, 4021 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on December 5, 2015 at 3:31 AM

Another excellent whale with landscape photo, Katie! The freeze frame action of the whale tail is excellent and the birds are icing on the cake. A very nice image!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 5, 2015 at 4:08 AM

Katie,
I have always wanted to get a shot like this, but no luck so far!

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on December 5, 2015 at 4:15 AM

Love the barnacles, the sharp focus on the tail, the setting and the many other birds.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on December 5, 2015 at 7:46 AM

Great setting n wonderful image!
Like Cay, I too would like to move the upper bird.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on December 5, 2015 at 12:17 PM

Lots of interesting elements in this photo. I suppose the gulls could have been a little more cooperative in terms of spacing (either too close to the top or to the ridge line), but it's nice to have them in here. I think the subtle shine on the fluke really helps it pop and separate from the somewhat monochromatic environment. Very cool.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 7, 2015 at 6:48 PM

An extra-ordinary capture of true wildness. frown

An inspiring image of a wonderful experience Katie!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 9, 2015 at 4:21 PM

The whale tail looks great, well timed, against that superb mountain background. So the birds become the next secondary points of interest for the eye to alight upon. I agree the upper bird is unfortunately edgeing the frame. I don't know how the Pentax renders images in higher ISO, but if possible I think it would have been a slight but real improvement to stop down for more depth of field.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments