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Photographer Spots Sneaky Grey Whale Next To Unsuspecting Whale Watchers
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Photographer Spots Sneaky Grey Whale Next To Unsuspecting Whale Watchers

Stealth Whale Appears Behind A Boat And Surprises ThemPhotographer Spots Sneaky Grey Whale Next To Unsuspecting Whale WatchersPhotographer Captures A Moment Where A Whale Pops Up Behind Sightseers As They Look The Other WayStealthy Whale Appears Behind A Tourist Boat And Surprises ThemGrey Whale Appears Behind Sightseers And Pleasantly Surprises ThemWhale Pops Up Behind Sightseers And Pleasantly Surprised ThemPhotographer Caught A Moment When A Grey Whale Snuck Up On Tourists And Surprised ThemPhotographer Spots Sneaky Grey Whale Next To Unsuspecting Whale WatchersPhotographer Spots Sneaky Grey Whale Next To Unsuspecting Whale WatchersPhotographer Spots Sneaky Grey Whale Next To Unsuspecting Whale Watchers
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Nature occasionally brings wonder and surprise, though we often have to look for it very closely. But sometimes nature goes out of its way to bring the surprise all by itself. Let me elaborate. Today’s story is about a few resurfaced photos where a grey whale sneakily popped up behind unsuspecting sightseers and pleasantly surprised them. The photographer E. Smith, who closely and carefully watched the situation, caught this rare moment and shared it on his Instagram, and unsurprisingly, caught a lot of attention for it in the media. Him capturing the moment was no coincidence, as Smith knew how whales act and they tend to be really sneaky. In fact, they’re so sneaky that the maneuver has a name: it’s called a spy hop. So without further ado, here are the amazing photos.

More info: esmithimages.com | Facebook | Instagram | twitter.com

“The calf made an appearance near the bow of the boat causing everyone to look forward”

Image credits: esmith_images

Here’s the whole story in his own words.
“Every morning, small groups of visitors onboard small motorboats known as pangas, to see the whales. In this photograph, a panga with people from my camp were known as a cow and a calf pair. My fellow whale enthusiasts from Campo Cortez in Baja wait for an appearance at the front of their boat. The calf made an appearance near the bow of the boat causing everyone to look forward. While this awesome spy hopper snuck up behind everyone at super close range in a behavior called a spy hop. Cheering and hysterical laughter ensued.”

“A second later, the mother emerged a foot behind the stern in a behavior called a spy hop”

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Image credits: esmith_images

“This shot is the second before everyone caught on and cheers erupted.”

“And the winner of hide and seek is…”

Image credits: esmith_images

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“I’m ready for my close up”

Image credits: esmith_images

“I mean… she’s totally posing. No two ways about it. The grey whales of Baja are something else. These photos from March put me in a good mood. Ignorance was bliss that week.”

Image credits: esmith_images

“Happy accidents are rare, but I try to put myself in scenarios where they are much likelier to occur. I also make it a point to have a good camera with me at all times, because you never know when you’ll see something amazing. I’m always viewing the world in single frames and can’t really turn it off. I’d rather be ready to make an image of a great moment than have it fade from my memory.”

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Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

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Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

“Well hello! It’s good to meet you! As Henry David Thoreau wrote, ‘The world is but a canvas to our imagination.’ Below the surface of Baja’s San Ignacio Lagoon last week, a young grey whale swam close for a look. I’m so fortunate to have had these remarkable experiences.”

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Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

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Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

Image credits: esmith_images

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Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

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Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

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Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Titas Burinskas

Titas Burinskas

Moderator, Community member

Read more »

This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before.

Read less »

Titas Burinskas

Titas Burinskas

Moderator, Community member

This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before.

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Cassie Ward-Renshaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aww this is so cute! Shes like a big puppy she let them pat her nose 😍 this is where whales& dolphins belong not in tanks, you can meet them in the wild!

Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whale videos, specially humpbacks, are always a winner! They love being petted, scrubbed and love being around boats with humans in it. She “spying” on the humans, is her way of saying “ I am comfortable to show you my baby”. Love whales! 🥰

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Cassie Ward-Renshaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aww this is so cute! Shes like a big puppy she let them pat her nose 😍 this is where whales& dolphins belong not in tanks, you can meet them in the wild!

Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whale videos, specially humpbacks, are always a winner! They love being petted, scrubbed and love being around boats with humans in it. She “spying” on the humans, is her way of saying “ I am comfortable to show you my baby”. Love whales! 🥰

Load More Comments
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