All whales
have natural markings and other characteristics that can
allow us to identify them through photographs. This is
fortunate for both us and the whales, because it allows us to
conduct our research both inexpensively and non-invasively.
Finback and humpback whales are the most frequently-sighted large
baleen whales in the Jeffreys Ledge area, so our
photo-identification research and cataloging projects focus on those
species, but we will photograph any distinctive large whales that
are sighted on our trips. When a whale is sighted, we try to
photograph the whale's natural markings, along with any scars or
pigmentation which make the whale distinctive.
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeanglia)
Research
Humpback whales are primarily identified by the
markings on the underside of their fluke (tail) and the shape of
their dorsal fin. The "top", or "dorsal" side of the whale's
fluke is all black, while the underside (the "ventral" side) has a
pattern that is all black, all white, or somewhere in between.
Below are photos of a few of the local humpback
whales.
Humpback fluke photos (click on each photo for more
information about the whale):
Humpback dorsal fin photos:
Humpback scar photos:
Finback Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
Research
We identify finback whales primarily by the shape
of their dorsal fin, any scars or unique pigmentation, and a marking
called the chevron, which is a v-shaped, light gray marking behind
the whale's blow hole. The chevron is usually larger and more
prominent on the whale's right side. Below are photos of fin
whales that have been seen in the Jeffreys Ledge area.
Finback dorsal fin photos:
Finback chevron photos:
Finback Scar/pigmentation photos:
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