Canon R5, Canon EF 70-200mm IS III at 200mm, 1/320 sec, f/7.1, ISO 160
We were recently on West Maui during the second half of the Kona Low storm in March. 62 inches of rain in two weeks! Before the second round of rain hit, we were able to get out for a whale watching excursion on a zodiac boat. A great trip with many whale sightings; breeches, flukes and all. I shot a few frames with other boats in the background that do well to exaggerate the size of the tails, but I like the simplicity of this shot. The detail on the tail, barnacles and scars, plus the trail of water from the fluke. It was very overcast with low clouds, making the background a bit hazy. I tried to bring out a little bit of depth in the clouds. We were able to ID this whale’s tail through an international database: we were told it was first sighted off the coast of British Columbia in 1996.
6 comments posted
Butch Mazzuca
I think you have a winner here Tomi - a compelling wildlife image that captures a classic and moment with immediate impact. The suspended spray gives the photograph energy and a clear sense of behavior rather than just documentation. I think the simplicity works well allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the form and texture of the whale's tail. Detail is solid and enough sharpness in the droplets to add life. Posted: 04/09/2026 21:15:22
Barbara Mallon
Wow! What fun! Identified the whale sighted a long way a way! Bit the image itself is gorgeous too! I like your simplicity, composition, and water drops! Well done! Posted: 04/11/2026 21:25:18
Hoshedar Cooper
Lucky you Tomi to be so close to this marvellous creation. I see that you shot at 200 mm and to get this detail you must be pretty close. Fantastic image with the natural colours in the background and the droplets and details on the fluke. I was a wee bit confused with the two colours in the water till you mentioned that they were clouds. Good stuff. Posted: 04/13/2026 18:20:28
Gaetan Manuel
A simple photo/composition with a lot of details : state of the sea, water droplets, shape of the tail. Posted: 04/14/2026 12:50:09
Judith Flacke
Beautiful image. Love the minimalism. Yes, background 'stripe' first appeared a bit strange but thanks for explanation. And, evidently it doesn't make too much of an impact given the great detail and frozen action of the subject! Nice!!! Posted: 04/16/2026 08:57:33
Tom McCreary
You have a very nice story telling image that is also very simple. The framing is perfect and the clouds at the top do not bother me. As mentioned above, the shutter speed is perfect to capture the water droplets coming off the tail. It sounds like you had a great trip even with all the rain. Posted: 04/16/2026 21:30:44
