Photo of the Day

A blue whale surfacing

Monday 12 October 2026

Looking down on a long, pale blue-grey whale gliding just under the surface of deep blue water, a swirl of foam behind its tail — Photograph · Date not recorded

A blue whale photographed by NOAA Fisheries scientists off the California coast. The mottled blue-gray skin looks almost turquoise just below the surface.

Fun facts

Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth and can reach about 30 meters (100 feet). source ↗
A 2021 study estimated a large blue whale can eat around 16 tonnes of krill a day during feeding season. source ↗
Their low calls are among the loudest sounds any animal makes, and can travel for hundreds of miles underwater. source ↗
Scientists tell individuals apart by the unique mottling on their backs, like the pattern in this photo. source ↗

Image: NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Licence: Public domain
Source: Wikimedia Commons