This breaching whale is named Firefly, and I was lucky enough to see her breaching with her calf, together, on the Seven Seas Whale Watch in Gloucester, MA back in 1997.  This one was a lucky shot with a point and click 35mm camera, later scanned.  When they breach, it is magical.  As mom and calf were jumping out of the water, together, they seemed joyous. Breaching is hard to photograph because you never know when or where it will happen, and I treasure this lucky shot.

The other pics were taken by my son with a digital SLR years later.  I've been on this trip almost every year since 1988, and each year has something special. We've seen humpbacks, minke whales, finbacks, an occasional right whale, and even an ocean sunfish (lanceolatus).  We've been lucky enough to see the whales exhibit many types of behavior, and every year is a treat.

I thank CNN for the opportunity to share these with you!!