Issue 2025.02

Southern Right Whales

A mother and calf rest and bond in shallow waters, a natural nursery providing protection from predators, such as orcas, and a safe space for the calf’s early development. It is these shallow waters that create perfect breeding and nursery grounds for southern right whales, which travel from subantarctic waters to breed and give birth.

↑ A mother and calf rest and bond in shallow waters, a natural nursery providing protection from predators, such as orcas, and a safe space for the calf’s early development. It is these shallow waters that create perfect breeding and nursery grounds for southern right whales, which travel from subantarctic waters to breed and give birth.

A Whale of a Comeback Story: In Photos

Words and Images by Adriana Basques

When you think of Patagonia, an area encompassing parts of Chile and Argentina, you might envision jagged mountains, vast skies and rugged coastlines. However, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Península Valdés hides a secret. Beneath these waters lies the story of an ancient marine giant, the southern right whale.

The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis)

Their comeback from near-extinction is a story of nature’s resilience and the efforts of conservationists, scientists, photographers, and local communities. With their unique behaviors, fascinating social structures, and impressive migrations and mating behaviors, these whales offer an exceptional subject for nature photography. I return every year, hoping to see (and photograph) my favorite whales, who have become old friends.

Meet El Copulador, Casanova of the Seas

One of my favorite whales is a particularly fascinating character I affectionately call ” El Copulador.” This male stands out not only for his rare light gray-morph coloration — born a white calf but now sporting a distinctive gray hue — but also for his apparent success in the mating game, as anecdotally evidenced by the many white calves seen in the year after El Copulador is seen actively mating. 

A more typically colored calf breaches beside the boat, showing its playful energy and early signs of growing agility and strength. It takes much effort for calves to master the art of breaching and it’s delightful to watch them practice.

While other species might engage in elaborate battles, these whales compete by out-sperming their rivals. Multiple males mate with a female and the best sperm wins! Did you know that southern right whales have the largest testes relative to body size in the animal kingdom, weighing up to 1,100 pounds? Their penises, about 8 to 10 feet long, are equally impressive. As playful as this topic might sound, understanding whale reproductive behavior is crucial for conservation. Every successful mating that produces a calf is critical, especially with so many threats to the survival of the species.

Dubbed “El Copulador” during my observations, this male’s regular presence in mating groups highlights the intricate dynamics of whale reproduction. He seems to be a prolific breeder and has possibly fathered many white calves.

Whale Watching: Getting Close Without the Impact

Península Valdés is a haven for photographers and nature lovers, offering unique, ethical opportunities to observe and photograph whales. The whale-watching industry here is carefully regulated to ensure minimal disturbance, with boats following strict guidelines to protect the whales while providing a front-row seat to their natural behavior.

For a grounded experience, Doradillo Beach offers an opportunity to watch and photograph whales from shore. During high tide, they swim within meters of the beach, offering a “whale parade” as they move back and forth. Visitors bring beach chairs and thermoses to enjoy this incredible sight, a dream for photographers seeking intimate whale images without setting foot on a boat.

In rare clear blue water, sun rays filter through the surface into the depths of the water column, casting a glow on the back of a pair of adult whales in a mating group.

To avoid impact to the species, swimming with and photographing whales underwater is prohibited. Special permits issued by the Argentine government are required and granted only to professional photographers and videographers. All encounters are supervised by officials to ensure the whales remained undisturbed.

There’s nothing quite like sharing the water with a creature of such monumental scale. Their sheer presence is extraordinary, and locking eyes with them sparks a connection that feels almost otherworldly. Despite the challenges of limited visibility, we wait patiently, always mindful of their space. When they decide to draw near, it’s not just an encounter — it’s a moment that feels deeply personal, as if they’ve chosen to share their world with you.

For me, photographing these nearly 60-foot giants isn’t about capturing a perfect image. It’s about appreciating their elegance, their strength, and their indispensable role in this intricate marine ecosystem.

Understanding the Threats

Historically, southern right whales were easy targets for whalers because they swam close to shore, floated when dead, and were slow-moving — thus earning the name “right whale.”  Although the whaling of the southern right whale was prohibited in 1935, illegal Soviet whaling in the 1960s further depleted their numbers.

Seagull attacks have become common, posing a significant threat to calves, whose inability to protect themselves disrupts feeding, resting, and increases the risk of infection.

Today, while the southern right whale population around Península Valdés is growing, they face significant threats. Climate change has reduced their primary food source, krill, sometimes leading to fewer calves being born. In 2022, a harmful algal bloom exacerbated by global warming caused the largest die-off of adult southern right whales in decades.

Human activities like ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements also claim cetacean lives. Locally, seagull attacks have become a unique menace. Kelp gulls peck at whales’ backs, feeding on their blubber. This disrupts their feeding and resting patterns, increasing stress and raising the risk of infections, particularly in calves. The percentage of mothers and calves with seagull lesions has skyrocketed from 2% in the 1970s to 99% today.

A calf spends its early months with its mother in safe, shallow waters. Sometimes as shallow as 15 feet, the depth discourages predators and makes it easy for a mother to fight them off, should they attack. The shallows provide a safe environment for the calf’s growth and nourishment.

To counter these attacks, whales have adopted the “galeón position,” floating with their heads raised and backs submerged to protect their exposed skin. However, calves, who haven’t learned this behavior, remain vulnerable. Conservation efforts are addressing the root causes, like landfill management, which attracts gulls to the area.

This whale’s top callosity is teeming with whale lice, barnacles and various microorganisms. These organisms form a complex micro-ecosystem that thrives on the whale’s skin. Over time, all callosities form a thriving ecosystem of parasites and commensals.

The potential for natural resource exploration in Argentinean waters, such as oil drilling and seismic testing, poses future risks to the whales. Noise pollution and disruption of feeding grounds could have long-term impacts on the population.

Photo-ID Research: A Lifeline for Conservation

Since 1970, the photo-ID research program has been crucial in understanding southern right whales. Their callosities (i.e. their thickened skin) act like fingerprints, allowing scientists to identify individuals throughout their lives. The Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas (ICB), in partnership with Ocean Alliance, founded in 1971 to research and protect these whales, manages the largest continuous database of any whale species. Photographing the whales, using their callosities for individual identification, is crucial to  tracking the health of the population.

A Final Word

For southern right whales, the waters of Península Valdés represent both a sanctuary and a stage for their life’s drama.

Every breach, tail slap, and tender moment between mother and calf is a testament to life’s strength in these uncertain times. Whether observed from a boat, a beach, or through a camera lens, these whales remind us of the fragility of ocean ecosystems and the importance of continued conservation efforts.

For now, the whales are safe and cherished. But their future, like that of many marine species, depends on our ability to preserve the delicate balance of their world.

See more of Adriana Basques work at adrianabasques.com.