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Blue Whale Pictures

These blue whale pictures show what you're likely to see if you're lucky enough to spot a blue whale. You'd think that the largest animal on the face of the earth would be easier to find. But blue whales are few in number (about 2,200 in California coastal waters) and move quickly.



You can see blue whales if you look in the right places. They can be found off the coast of California - around Monterey Bay, Big Sur and around the Channel Islands in the Santa Barbara Channel. They may hang about to feed from June through October.

The blue whale is, as the name implies, blue-gray in color, often mottled. In fact, individuals can be identified by their mottling patterns.

The blue whale picture below shows the blow plume, which is tall and straight. The blow is over 20 feet high and can even reach as much as 30 feet.



Blue Whale at Surface, Blowing

blue whale blowing

Photo by Scott Hill, NOAA Corps



Blue Whale at Surface, Showing Two Blowholes

blue whale at surface showing blow holes

photo by Scott Hill, NOAA Corps

This photo shows the two blow holes, contained in a large raised area.


Aerial View of Blue Whale

Aerial view of blue whale

Photo by Larry Hobbs, NMML

Here you see the flippers, which are tapered and relatively short.


Blue Whale's Dorsal Fin

Blue whale's dorsal fin

photo by Janice Waite, NMML

This blue whale photo shows the dorsal fin, which is small and triangular. The size and shape of the fin varies quite a bit, but it's about a foot at its highest point.


More California Whale Watching Information

Whale Watching in California
California Whale Watching Cruises
Whale Watching from Land
California Whale Facts
Whale Watching Festivals


More Blue Whale Pictures
Gray Whale Pictures
More Gray Whale Pictures
Humpback Whale Pictures
More Humpback Whale Pictures



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All photos are courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Marine Mammal Laboratory.