With the dexterity of a dolphin a fraction of their size, these acrobatic female humpback whales appear to soar from the water in a majestic manner.

A 50-foot-tall, 45-ton humpback is depicted in this image wholly submerged, with its nose rising 40 feet above the surface.

Jon Cornforth, a wildlife photographer, captured these incredible images from not more than 30 feet away from the gentle titans.

A majestic sight: A female humpback whale penetrates the water’s surface at Frederick Sound, located in the southeastern Alaskan Alexander Archipelago.

Humpback whales engage in a voracious feeding frenzy as they capture herring in a “bubble-net” near Angoon in Frederick Sound, Alexander Archipelago, southeast Alaska.

Mr. Cornforth, 39, a native of Seattle, captured the awe-inspiring images while visiting Frederick Sound, which is located in the southeastern region of Alaska. He said, “They are truly marvelous creatures to approach from such a close distance.”

We are equally intrigued in them as they are in us; they are exceedingly inquisitive.A moment occurred when one approached from beneath me and appeared to be attempting to consume one of the vessels.

“However, they are fortunately too intelligent to confuse a boat with their typical prey.”

Additionally, the images depict the sea creature’s sisterhood engaging in “bubble net” feeding. The whales consume enormous shoals of herring that spawn in the region through cooperative herding.

Two individuals descend to a depth of 500 feet and generate air pockets in a circulating motion, thereby entrapping their prey and enabling the remaining twelve members of the group to seize it.

 

In order to capture these photographs, Mr. Cornforth observed the behemoths for more than 12 weeks over the course of four years.

 

Annually, the all-female group assembles at the identical location and time as part of a ritual.

 

The 45-ton whales appear to be capable of executing a belly flop with the dexterity of a performing dolphin.

Each year, an exclusively female group gathers at the same location, with each creature carrying out the same hunting function.

“TҺe mа𝚗𝚗er ι𝚗 wҺιcҺ wоme𝚗 cо𝚗gregаte ιs а puzzlι𝚗g pҺe𝚗оme𝚗о𝚗,” remаrkeԀ Mr. Cоr𝚗fоrtҺ. TҺeιr sоcιety mаy be mаtrιаrcҺаl, sιmιlаr tо certаι𝚗 pоԀs оf kιller wҺаles.

“Time and again, I’ve observed identical females performing the identical task of diving to create the bubble net.”

“The bubble net, which can reach a maximum diameter of 75 meters, is constructed deep beneath the surface to capture the enormous herring swarms.”

They are capable of performing this action every four to five minutes for up to ten hours due to their immense strength.

 

Photographer Jon Cornforth captures images of breaching humpback whales with a moby click.

For these photographs, Mr. Cornforth observed the whales for more than twelve weeks over the course of four years. During his most recent expedition, he was required to sail 120 miles by boat and laboriously explore the ocean for three days in order to locate his prize.

He stated, “Humpback whales are extraordinary mammals.” “They briefly ascend above the water before disappearing back into the expanse of the waves.”

“It is concise yet awe-inspiring, and well worth the endeavor.” I sincerely wish that upon viewing these photographs, individuals will be captivated by the magnificence of the moment.