Breaching for the sky — a high and mighty whale display
A humpback whale breaches off St Croix Island in Algoa Bay in a spectacular display of power and grace. Photographer and Raggy Charters owner Lloyd Edwards captured every breathtaking moment.
A humpback whale breaches off St Croix Island in Algoa Bay, perfectly framed against the island in a dramatic display of power and agility. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)
The start of a humpback’s breach — an immense burst of energy comparable to a human running a marathon. These whales may breach dozens of times consecutively. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters) The humpback’s flippers are among the longest appendages of any animal, helping the whale spin through the air, and can be used to fend off predators while protecting their young. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters) Distinctive pleats along the whale’s belly, called rorqual folds, expand like an accordion, allowing it to engulf massive volumes of water and prey in a single gulp. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters) The knobbly ridges along the leading edge of the flippers, called tubercles, improve manoeuvrability and help the whale move efficiently through the water. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters) The dramatic re-entry: a humpback whale, weighing up to 40 tonnes, crashes back into the sea with a thunderous splash, marking the end of a breathtaking display of strength and agility. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC0801_Angela.jpg "The start of a humpback’s breach — an immense burst of energy comparable to a human running a marathon. These whales may breach dozens of times consecutively. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC0802_Angela.jpg "The humpback’s flippers are among the longest appendages of any animal, helping the whale spin through the air, and can be used to fend off predators while protecting their young. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC0803_Angela.jpg "Distinctive pleats along the whale’s belly, called rorqual folds, expand like an accordion, allowing it to engulf massive volumes of water and prey in a single gulp. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC0804_Angela.jpg "The knobbly ridges along the leading edge of the flippers, called tubercles, improve manoeuvrability and help the whale move efficiently through the water. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/DSC0805_Angela.jpg "The dramatic re-entry: a humpback whale, weighing up to 40 tonnes, crashes back into the sea with a thunderous splash, marking the end of a breathtaking display of strength and agility. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)")
A humpback whale breaches off St Croix Island in Algoa Bay, perfectly framed against the island in a dramatic display of power and agility. (Photo: Lloyd Edwards / Raggy Charters)