2011 Whales in Maui - # - Aviator Photography -- Dave Kingston

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Every February for the past 3 years my wife and I have travelled to the beautiful island of Maui to photograph the Humpback Whales. These gentle giants migrate from Alaska to the safe, warm waters off Maui to have their young and breed.

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Breach off Ka'anapali Beach 2. Adult whales can propel more than 2/3 of their body out of the water with as few as 2 kicks of their powerful fluke. It is an amazing sight to see something the size of a transit bus launch itself out of the water.

Spy hop with the fields of West Maui in the background.

Peekaboo. A female spy hops beside our boat. Just like us there are some very curious whales.

Head lunge, 2 boys fighting over a girl.

Tubercles and Blowhole. These bumps on the head called tubercles each contain a single hair and it is believed they are used by the whale in a sensory manner.

Blowhole closeup. Humpbacks actually have 2 blowholes both located side by side at the rear of this raised portion on the top of the head.

Barnacles on the tip of a fluke (tail fin).

A female on her side waving her pectoral fin. To give you an idea of the size of these gentle giants the pectoral fin of an adult can be anywhere from 10 to 15 feet long.

Breach off Ka'anapali Beach 2. Adult whales can propel more than 2/3 of their body out of the water with as few as 2 kicks of their powerful fluke. It is an amazing sight to see something the size of a transit bus launch itself out of the water.