16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Fin Slap

This interactive humpback whale approached me, turned on its side and exposed its pectoral fin into the air before slapping the surface of the water with explosive results. Pectoral fin slap is believed to be a form of non-verbal communication by humpback whales.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2016
Date Uploaded: 11.2018
Photo Location: Vava'u, Tonga
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Mok Wai Hoe