Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) at the surface to breath with blow hole open. Characteristic white bands on the flipper visible through the water. Hebrides, Scotland (1 of 2 images).

Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acuturostrata) feeding alongside assorted seabirds Isle of Mull, Western Scotland

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing next to Zodiac full of whale-watchers. Antarctic Peninsula

It's all about being fast and agile when hunting small schooling capelin, the main prey of Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

The result of a strong head slap of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Such a splash supposedly scares shoaling fish that are known to cluster when threatened. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

Approaching the boat from behind, this Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) heaves its head out of the water. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada. Sequence 2/3.

Minke Whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) surfacing at speed. Southern Oceans

Marine wildlife-watching boat. Encounter with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Hebrides, Scotland

Close-up of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) showing the beautiful pattern of parallel grooves near the tip of the snout. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

Even in conditions with little visibility, the white flipper band of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) shines through the water of the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

Steering with its pectoral fins the friendly Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) turns its streamlined body towards the boat in order to dive under the hull. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada. Sequence 5/6

A friendly Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) has rolled onto its right side to take a better look at the excited people on the boat. Note that the left eye is open. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing, Hebrides, Scotland