This time of year, humpback whales make their annual trip to the warm waters of the South Pacific to mate. Today"s image finds us swimming alongside a humpback mother and her young calf near the Polynesian island chain of Tonga. There are six main humpback populations in the southern Pacific, and this pair is part of the one that"s often called the "Tongan Tribe." The humpbacks of the Tongan Tribe return each year from their feeding grounds off Antarctica—a journey of more than 4,000 miles. Through November, the cows will stay in this region while their newborn calves grow strong enough to make the trek back to the cold Antarctic waters where their main food source—the small crustacean called krill—is abundant.
A whale of a hug
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Sand dunes in the Sahara, Algeria
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Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
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Wartburg Castle overlooking Thuringian Forest in Germany
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Womens History Month
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Bringing together history and technology
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Happy Independence Day!
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World Theater Day
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The ruins of Italica, Andalusia, Spain
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World Otter Day
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Aerial view of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico
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Village of Labro, Italy
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Hang Sơn Đoòng Cave, Vietnam
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A Festivus for the rest of us
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Independence Day
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National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC
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Porthcawl Lighthouse, Wales, UK
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Sutherland Falls in Fiordland National Park
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Churún Merú waterfall in Venezuela
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Chicagohenge
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Methoni Castle, Messenia, Greece
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Across the great plains of Africa
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Happy World Laughter Day
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Tasmans Arch, Tasmania, Australia
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With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
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Mysterious prairie mounds abound
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Taking the scenic route
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Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
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For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
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Cherry blossoms spring to life
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A city of bridges
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

