Selected daily by the photo staff of National Geographic.
July 3, 2008
Brian Skerry made this image of Mauricio Handler encountering a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) off the Auckland Islands in New Zealand. Skerry and Handler are only the second group of people to dive with these particular whales.
What was it like to a have a 70-ton whale swim that close to you? "Amazing," says Skerry. "A 45-foot animal—the size of a bus—comes swimming towards me. Their eyes are on the side of their heads, and it came within inches of me. Here's this softball-size eye looking at me, and the whale stops on a dime, just hovering there. One flick of the tail and it would crush me like a bug, but it didn't—it was curious."
Photograph by Brian Skerry
Photo Date: July 27, 2007
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Comments
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
Thanks for sharing the experience. It is one thing to for you to be that close and another thing for someone to witness your experience for the world to see. Hey,bottom dweller,you are even standing. was that for stability for the camera or you?
Rhoda
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
I can't even imagine being in the water with such an amazing creature!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
What a great shot. I would love to be in the water and that close to such a great creature!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
you must be the happiest person in the whole world to have an amazing career that gives you oportunities like this one..Deadly Shot. Congratulations.
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
SPECTACULAR.
NO WAY THIS EXPERIENCE COULD EVER BE FORGOTTEN. IT MUST BE EXHILERATING TO BE SO CLOSE TO THAT MAMMOTH AND HAVE AN EYE GIVE YOU THE EYE. WOW.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FEAT.
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
love it its so impressive....and photographer working sooooooo betterr
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
A spectacular shot. We were so thrilled to see humpbacks feeding in the Stellwagon bay near Boston.I can't even imagine how it must be to get so close to these!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
Stunning capture, Brian,...job well done!,...thanks for sharing and inspiring,.....;-)
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
It looks very impressive the comparisson of the size of Mauricio and the size of that huge whale!
That is a spectaculat photo!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
Wow~~~~~ It's too novel
very lovely whale~~♥
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
Wow! that's a great experience you had. It must be between scary and brave feeling when in front of the big whale. You are lucky, man.
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
This pic is spectacular! It should be in the magazine for the world to see! Congratulations on doing something so rare and meaningful!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
This spectacular pic should be picked for the magazine. What an opportunity to do something so rare and meaningful!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
Outstanding experience, but not outstanding photo quality!!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
I LOVE THIS PLANET!!!!!!!!!
Jul 3, 2008 10AM #
Its truly an amazing world!
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