An underwater photographer in Alor, Indonesia, has shared mind-boggling drone footage of a group of pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) speeding through the water.
“By far one of the coolest experiences I have had and some of my favourite drone shots of whales I have taken,” says underwater photographer Marcus Blake, who shared the awe-inspiring footage on Instagram.
Drone footage shows three pygmy blue whales cruising through the water. Credit: Videography by Marcus Blake onboard a Naga Biru Liveaboard on a snorkel venture trip.
Blake, co-founder of the Naga Biru Liveaboard, was on a Snorkel Venture tour in Alor when he spotted the whales on two separate occasions. “It’s truly a remarkable place,” he says.
Despite their name, this subspecies of blue whale is still massive. They grow up to around 24 metres (longer than a cricket pitch), compared to the Antarctic blue whale’s 33 metres.
A close-up shot of a pygmy blue whale. Credit: Videography by Marcus Blake onboard a Naga Biru Liveaboard on a snorkel venture trip.
Blake was surprised by how speedily these enormous animals zoomed through the water, adding: “It’s impressive the size of these animals and especially how fast they move.”
The wildlife watchers’ boats are dwarfed by the pygmy blue whales. Credit: Videography by Marcus Blake onboard a Naga Biru Liveaboard on a snorkel venture trip
Video and image credit: Videography by Marcus Blake onboard a Naga Biru Liveaboard on a snorkel venture trip
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