A 74-year-old photographer captured a rare moment with her camera from a boat in the waters near Monterey Bay, California, USA.
According to The People, tourists on a recent whale-watching trip were treated to a spectacular sight in the waters near Monterey Bay, California, USA.
A humpback whale suddenly breaches the surface.
The scene resembled a giant sea monster unexpectedly rising from the depths, poised to engulf those on the boat, reminiscent of a sci-fi movie plot.
However, this was a real event, as a humpback whale swam close to their boat.
The Telegraph reported that a 4-year-old female whale named Murph performed a stunning breach, her massive body towering over the boat filled with eager whale watchers, all ready with their cameras.
In one photograph, Murph appears just a few feet away from the tour boat, her enormous body nearly touching it. After her impressive display, Murph splashed her tail and dove back into the water, leaving behind a frothy splash.
This impressive moment was captured by 74-year-old photographer Jodi Frediani, who was on another boat and witnessed the event. Jodi Frediani, from Santa Cruz, California, was lucky to see the moment unfold and quickly grabbed her camera to snap the shot. After being shared on media and social networks, the image left many netizens in awe.
Whale Murph performs her display in front of a crowded boat.
After spotting a group of humpback whales feeding on anchovies, two whales swiftly glided past Frediani’s boat. Murph then executed her breathtaking leap in front of the attentive guests.
It is known that Frediani has been swimming with and photographing humpback whales for 18 years. She has captured similar scenes in Monterey Bay before, including one event in 2018 when a humpback whale approached a tour boat.
Two whales feeding on anchovies before performing.
“Humpback whales do not deliberately threaten humans. They are very good at navigating around stationary boats in the water,” photographer Frediani told The People. “I am never afraid when I see them up close. Instead, I am amazed and overjoyed by their power and majesty.”
“Most people scream when a whale suddenly approaches the boat,” Frediani said. “We try to follow guidelines and stay 100 meters away, but the feeding activity is very dynamic, and sometimes a whale will dive under the boat. Then, other whales may suddenly come close.”
Humpback whales can typically be spotted in Monterey Bay from April to late December.
Frediani told The People that she hopes her photos “inspire people to protect humpback whales, their food sources, and our oceans.”
“Nothing makes me happier than watching and photographing humpback whales feeding,” she added. “The wonderful and surprising sight of their massive heads suddenly launching into the sky from the vast ocean always fills me with joy.”
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, humpback whales can typically be spotted in Monterey Bay from April to late December before they migrate to warmer waters off Mexico in the winter. Humpback whales primarily feed on crustaceans like shrimp or small fish.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States has listed humpback whales as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act of 1970.
