Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) Adult fluke-up dive. Northern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.

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. Santa Monica Bay, California, USA

Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) fluke-up dive off Isla Ildefonso in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), off the Baja Peninsula, Mexico. Note the upturned tips on the flukes - typical in this species.

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) fluke-up dive at sunset. Mid-riff region of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico. (rr)

California Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Beached calf stranded by gill net around flukes. Isla Tiburon in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Tail Fluke above the surface before diving, Gulf of California, Mexico.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Tail Fluke above the surface before diving, Gulf of California, Mexico.

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

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

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

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

Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus). The tail of a blue whale can be up to 20ft across. Gulf of California.

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