Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). A blue whale tail as it leaves the water prior to diving. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The back and blowholes of a blue whale at dawn. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). A blue whale tail enthralls watching tourists. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). A view down the back of a blue whale showing the typical colouration. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). A blue whale making good speed pushes water before it. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The typically mottled skin colouring of a blue whale and an equally typical dorsal fin. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). A typical blue whale blow. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The blows of two blue whales, an adult and a juvenile. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus). A blue whale tail. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). A close up of the top of a blue whales head. On the front lip can be seen a small fish which live on the whale. Gulf of California.

A curious Brydes whale (Balaenoptera edeni) swims alongside a boat. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The tail of a blue whale raised way out of the water before diving deep. The typical skin colouring is also visible. Gulf of California.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive in the middle Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Looking along back-bone to blow hole, Gulf of California, Mexico.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing in the middle Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive at sunset in the offshore waters of Santa Monica Bay, California, USA.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Looking along back-bone & showing small dorsal fin, Gulf of California, Mexico.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Adult fluke-up dive. Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.

Blue whale fluking up to dive (Balaenoptera musculus) Azores, Atlantic Ocean

Blue whale, (Balaenoptera musculus), fluking up sequence 3/3, Monterey Bay, California, USA

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) fluke-up dive in the offshore waters of Santa Monica Bay, California, USA. The blue whale is the largest animal to ever live on planet Earth.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Adult fluke-up dive - note the damage to the right fluke. Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.

Stranded body of dead Blue whale, (Balaenoptera musculus) calf, people looking at carcass, Monterey Bay, California, USA

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). People looking at a dead blue whale calf. National marine sanctuary, Monterey bay, California Pacific ocean, USA.

Three blue whales move through their protected territory.

Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus). A blue whale tail in the afternoon light. Gulf of California.