Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). In the early light and silky sea a gentle blue whale barely makes a ripple. 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.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The huge tail of a blue whale raised high before a deep dive. Gulf of California.

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

Close up of a blue whales massive blow (Balaenoptera musculus). H

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The tail of a blue whale beneath rugged cliffs. Gulf of California.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Tourists watch the sedate progress of a blue whale as it circles their boat, the animal is feeding. Gulf of California.

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

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The huge tail stock of a blue whale showing lots of round scars thought to be from cookie cutter sharks. The tiny dorsal fin is clealry visible to the left. Gulf of California.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) exhaling a cloud of tiny water droplets into the air. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing. Monterey, USA.

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

Two Blue whales, (Balaenoptera musculus), diving together, Monterey Bay, California, USA

Blue whale, (Balaenoptera musculus), fluking up sequence 2/3, Monterey Bay, California, USA

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

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