990-172 - Finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus) arching its back in order to dive showing its tall dorsal fin and patches of green algae that cover its back. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-143 - Friendly Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing laterally and curiously approaching the research vessel. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-169 - Like a piece of art thousands of waterdrops cover the expanded belly of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) performing a ventral arc. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-174 - The white tip of a Finback whaleÌs (Balaenoptera physalus) snout showing a distinctive characteristic of this species; the lower right jaw is white in colour whereas the left side is dark. Gasp», Canada

990-154 - Unusual scratches and impermanent patches on the skin of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) known as Otter who was first identified in the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada, in 1996.

990-157 - The pointy snout of a surfacing Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) keeping its blowholes tightly closed until the moment they break the surface. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-176 - The impressive tail stock of this Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) carries huge muscle bands which lead to the horizontal flukes. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-149 - Closeup of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) showing the beautiful pattern of parallel grooves near the tip of the snout. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-158 - Even in conditions with little visibility, the white flipper band of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) shines through the water of the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-151 - The result of a strong head slap of a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Such a splash supposedly scares shoaling fish that are known to cluster when threatened. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

990-175 - Finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus) might be seen alone or in pairs but often form groups of more than a dozen animals in order to hunt fish. St. Lawrence estuary, Canada (RR)

1112-946 - Northern minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, surfacing in Cattle Pass, San Juan Islands, Washington, United States of America, North America

1112-783 - Adult fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Sorkapp, Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

1112-784 - Adult fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Sorkapp, Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

1112-781 - Adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing off northwestern Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, Barents Sea, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

1112-782 - Adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing off northwestern Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, Barents Sea, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

1112-459 - Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Vikingbukta, Northeast Greenland, Polar Regions

1112-458 - Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Vikingbukta, Northeast Greenland, Polar Regions

1116-31127 - California, A blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfaces and exhales. Blue whales are the largest creature to ever live on our planet.

1112-273 - Adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), southern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

1112-275 - Adult fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

1112-274 - Adult fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), Los Islotes, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

1112-272 - Blue whale cow (Balaenoptera musculus) and calf, southern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

1112-271 - Adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), southern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

917-506 - Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing, Azores, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, Europe

917-471 - Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis), blowing at the surface, Azores, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, Europe

1191-7 - Minke whale. Balaenoptera acutorostrata. Minke whale in brash ice, danko bay, antarctica

947-34 - Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-29 - Aerial view of Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-32 - Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-20 - Aerial view of Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-21 - Aerial view of Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-30 - Aerial view of Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-23 - Aerial view of Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-28 - Aerial view of Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-27 - Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-22 - Aerial view of Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-25 - Aerial view of Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) with calf. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-31 - Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-26 - Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-7 - Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) bubble net feeding, taken from the air. Gulf of Maine, USA (RR)

947-33 - Aerial view of Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) surfacing. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

947-24 - Aerial view of Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) with calf. Gulf of Maine, USA (rr)

1074-29 - A rare, aerial view of a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing near whale-watching boat in the fjords, near Husavik, on the north coast of Iceland.

1074-19 - Minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata) associating with North Sailing whale-watching boat. Blow lit up by low light Fjordland, in far north of Iceland.

1074-20 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) associating with North Sailing whale-watching boat Husavik, close to the arctic circle at the top of Iceland.

1074-32 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing high out of the water in front of some whale-watchers. Husavik, Iceland

1074-26 - Whale-watchers photographing a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) as it surfaces, showing interest in the boat. Husavik, Iceland

1074-27 - Whale-watchers leaning over a Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) as it surfaces (2 of 2 images). Husavik, Iceland

1074-21 - A rare, aerial view of Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing near whale-watching boat in the fjords, near Husavik, on the north coast of Iceland.

1074-12 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing at speed after lunging through bait ball of fish under seagulls. Husavik, Iceland

1074-25 - Whale-watchers photographing a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) as it surfaces close by with the blow visible. Husavik, Iceland

1074-28 - Two whale watching boats at rest with a minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) lying on the surface between them. Husavik, Iceland.

1074-23 - Whale-watchers leaning over a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), which has stopped and is showing interest in them. Husavik, Iceland

1074-22 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) spy hopping near a whale-watching boat. Husavik, Iceland

988-23 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Damage to dorsal fins is often used for photo-identification purposes but even simply the shape of a 'clean' fin such as this may be identifiable. Hebrides, Scotland

1074-11 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) lifting its rosturm above the suface and associating with whale watching boat. Slender rostrum and small blow hole typical of minke

1074-13 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) spy hopping with white fins and rostrum visible. Husavik, Iceland

988-168 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) caught in creel line. Minke whales are occasionally caught in the lines connecting lobster pots (creels) and will drown if not released promptly. This creel fishermen helped researchers untangle this dead whale from another fisherman's gear. Hebrides, Scotland

1074-14 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) spy hopping in low light at sunset with rosturm visible. Husavik, Iceland

1074-10 - Minke whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata) spy hopping, showing throat grooves. Slender rostrum typical of minke whales. Husavik, Iceland

1036-217 - Upper and lower jaw bones (+ one rib) of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at an old whaling station. BBC Broadcaster John Craven for scale. Snaefellsness Peninsular, Iceland.

909-36 - Antarctic Fur Seal (Balaenoptera Musculus) sitting in between tussock grass. Grytviken, South Georgia, Subantarctic, Southern Ocean.

1036-216 - Upper and lower jaw bones (+ one rib) of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) at an old whaling station. Snaefellsness Peninsular, Iceland.

1036-146 - Blue whale blowing at surface (Balaenoptera musculus) Fulmar caught in spray, West of Iceland

1036-136 - Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) showing the chevron markings on its flanks. Bay of Biscay, SW Europe. (RR)

1036-140 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing. Monterey, USA.

1036-126 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) part of surfacing sequence. Iceland.

1036-124 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) at surface with dorsal fin Hebrides, Scotland, UK

1036-133 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) lunge feeding showing throat grooves, Iceland

1036-139 - Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) showing throat grooves during a feeding lunge at the surface. Cape Cod, USA.

1036-132 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) feeding on bait ball at surface, Isle of Mull, Hebrides, Scotland

1036-127 - Young Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing. Thin body. Hebrides, Scotland.

1036-137 - Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) with water vapour from blow and blow hole visible. Bay of Biscay, SW Europe. (RR)

1012-130 - Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Azores, Portugal, Atlantic

1036-135 - Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) lunge feeding

1036-144 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera muscularis) showing characteristic column of spray as it breaths. Aerial photograph. Husavik, Iceland (RR)

1036-210 - Aerial shot of the research yacht, The Song of the Whale, being investigated by a Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), while one of the crew tries to get a closer look fro

1036-125 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Iceland.

1036-134 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing, Hebrides, Scotland

1036-143 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera muscularis) surfacing to breath. Aerial photograph. Husavik, Iceland (RR)

1036-128 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) lunge feeding at surface showing throat grooves, Husavik, Iceland

1036-130 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) showing characteristic shevron pigmentation and dorsal fin set relatively far down the back. Hebrides, Scotland.

1036-131 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing with open blow holes visible. Reykjavik, Iceland.

1036-138 - Fin whale fluke print, or 'foot print', caused by the powerful up stroke of a whale's tail while it is still near the surface (Balaenoptera physalus) . Bay of Biscay, SW (RR)

1036-141 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with vapour from recent blow. Large splash guard visible around open blow holes Monterey, USA

1036-142 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) surfacing with long back and characteristically small dorsal visible. West of Iceland.

931-333 - Fin whale (balaenoptera physalus) The blow of a fin whale. Gulf of California.

931-325 - Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus) A close up view of a blue whale blow.The Gulf of California.

931-113 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The typically mottled skin colouring of a blue whale and an equally typical dorsal fin. Gulf of California.

917-357 - Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus) breaching, extremely rare unusual image. Monterey, California, Pacific Ocean. MORE INFO: This Blue Whale was engaging in courting/fighting behaviour with another Blue Whale. Both animals were moving much faster than normal, chasing each other, & breaching repeatedly.

931-297 - Brydes whale (balaenoptera edeni) A lunging Brydes whale.Gulf of California.

931-140 - Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus). The tail of a blue whale. Gulf of California.

931-362 - Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus) A blue whale passes beside a tourist boat. Gulf of California.

931-355 - Blue whale (balaenoptera musculus) The tail of a diving blue whale in a silky sea. Gulf of California.

917-1 - Brydes Whale (Balaenoptera Edeni). Azores, North Atlantic

1034-22 - Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) cow and calf, underwater, Tonga, South Pacific

931-124 - Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The huge tail stock of a blue whale showing lots of round scars thought to be from cookie cutter sharks. The tiny dorsal fin is clealry visible to the left. Gulf of California.

985-20 - Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) surfacing in fjord with snow capped mountains behind. Husavik, Iceland.

931-104 - Close up of a blue whales massive blow (Balaenoptera musculus). (A4 only).