21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
White one

Photographed in the Kingdom of Tonga in September. I encountered a young female humpback whale that was white except for her head and part of her back. She showed no fear of humans. She did not increase her swimming speed when we approached her and seemed to be killing time. Still, all the while, she was watching us closely. Our eyes met hers several times. We were able to swim with her for more than an hour in total during the four swims. It is not often that one gets to swim with such a beautiful whale for such a long time.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2023
Date Uploaded: 10.2023
Photo Location: Neiafu, Tonga
Copyright: © Daisuke Kurashima