Humpback Spy Hop
Winter is an exciting time here in Maui. Humpback whales are showing up in increasing numbers every winter to mate and have babies. While the humpbacks are here they perform incredible acrobatics, the males will fight to impress the females, and the mysterious whale song can be heard from miles away if you dunk your head just a bit under the ocean. One behavior that I rarely see is called a spy hop. This is where the whale slowly rises its rostrum (head) out of the water. Scientists presume it is for the whale to look around at their surroundings hence the name 'spy hop.' It is a rare behavior here in Hawaii. In fact in all my time with these whales over the past three winters I have only seen this a handful of times. That was until these two whales pictured here. On a special day out on the water in Maui you may have a chance to be mugged by a humpback whale. This is when a whale swims towards the boat and comes within the 100 yard zone. It is un...