ナショナルジオグラフィックのインスタグラム(natgeo) - 2月16日 05時32分

Photo by @BrianSkerry.
A pair of Southern Right Whales engage in courtship in the waters off the coast of New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands. Their cousins, the North Atlantic Right Whales, are the most endangered species of whale on Earth, with only about 450 remaining. Both species were hunted to the brink of extinction by early whalers, but the Southern species - while also endangered - has recovered better. Indeed, North Atlantic Right Whales live much closer to human industrialization than Southern Right Whales, and are often hit by ships, entangled in fishing gear or affected by pollution.

Being in this chilly water water with 45-foot long, 70-ton whales is a little intimidating, but nonetheless absolutely beautiful. As an underwater photographer, I cannot use long, telephoto lenses to photograph my subjects or wait in a camouflaged blind for days on end. I can only stay underwater as long as the air supply on my back lasts, and I must get very close to these creatures make pictures. When animals like these whales allow you into their world, it is a very special experience.

To see more underwater photography, and to learn more about my stories from the sea, follow me - @BrianSkerry - on Instagram.
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• BrianSkerry