We’ve known whales as intelligent, kind beings, but we’ve never seen them like this.
Underwater photographer Rachel Moore took the pictures of a lifetime when Sweet Girl, a massive Humpback whale came close to her lens.
Moore took advantage of an opportunity to swim close to a friendly and inquisitive female whale, known affectionately as Sweet Girl, and found a moment when the whale was particularly calm and patient, and the two spent nearly five minutes together, Moore with camera in hand.
The resulting images are absolutely epic, and the closest we’ve ever seen of a whale’s eye, giving us a newfound love and perspective of this massive mammal.
With an eye the size of a grapefruit, we see amazing detail and beauty, and a blue ring that feels pulsing with electricity.
The texture, clarity, and sense of intelligence we see in the image show us how enlightened these beings really are.
Tragically, four days after the amazing photos were taken, Sweet Girl was killed when a fast-moving ship struck it.
Despite the tragedy, Moore’s images have struck a major chord, and we are grateful for the opportunity to witness nature at its finest.
See more of Rachel Moore’s beautiful and impactful work on her website.
Photographs © Rachel Moore. Used with artist’s permission.
This moment of eye contact was beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve never encountered a whale like this one, and it was the most profoundly beautiful experience of my life. I feel privileged that she allowed me to capture the beauty and life within her eyes.
Devastatingly, due to a tragic strike by a fast-moving ship, that life is no longer with us. Over the past few weeks, she touched so many lives, and thanks to your support of this recent photo of her eye, her story has now reached millions.
I hope her tragic story will spark real, meaningful change especially revolving around ships speed limits in these areas where whales are primarily found during whale season. “
