Wales were almost hunted to extinction in the Southern Ocean during the twentieth century. It is to this region the whales come to feed before returning to warmer waters to breed.

There is an indescribable delight in seeing such enormous animals swimming and feeding with such ease. To be almost at water level rather than on the deck of a ship adds to an understanding of their size and power.

The classic sight of a whale fluke, here a Humpback Whale, is made more dramatic by the icebergs in the background. Note you can also see the blowhole of a second whale on the left of the picture.