Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Ocean Ballet: Five Male Whales on a Journey to Love in Réunion

Off the coast of Réunion Island, between 50 and 200 whales arrive annually from July to September. During this time, female whales teach their calves essential skills such as swimming, self-protection, and body maintenance. Meanwhile, male whales compete to find a female to protect. These magnificent creatures provide a spectacle for attentive observers, occasionally breaching the surface—a behavior believed to help clean themselves of shells and seaweed.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2024
Photo Location: L'hermitage les bains, France
Camera: FC3170
Copyright: © Gabriel MADIE