A male humpback whale swimming just beneath the surface at Rurutu’s breeding grounds. Photographed from above at close range, the scars across his body are clearly visible, evidence of past fights for access to females. The proximity highlights both his size and the intensity of competition during the breeding season.
This image of a male humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was taken 2025 in Rurutu, French Polynesia.





