All of these photos were taken in Maui, HI in February 2004.


A dramatic photo of a breaching whale, taken by Dale Walsh of Dallas, Georgia, received the prize for "Best Overall Photo" in Pacific Whale Foundation's 2004 Humpback Whale Photo Contest. The photo was snapped by Walsh on February 21, 2004 from aboard Pacific Whale Foundation's catamaran Ocean Quest. It was one of more than 190 photos entered in the contest this year.

A team of judges, including a graphic designer/photographer, a former whale researcher and two marine educators, deliberated over the many entries for more than an hour, before making their final selections. "It was extremely challenging to choose winners, because so many of the entries are wonderful, outstanding photos," said Rob Lafferty, webmaster at Pacific Whale Foundation.

"It's extremely difficult to get a close-up photo of a breaching whale with its rostrum centered," commented Alison Roberts, Marine Science Specialist at Pacific Whale Foundation, as she critiqued Dale Walsh's winning photo. "You can see clearly that the whale's eye is closed, and that water is dripping off its back. There's also a great view of the barnacles on the whale."

Dale Walsh received a $200 gift certificate at Pacific Whale Foundation's Ocean Store, the top prize in the photo contest.

There were two additional runners-up in the contest. The first was a photo of a breaching whale by Sharon Pace, of Vallecito Lake, Colorado, who was traveling on the catamaran Ocean Spirit in early February. The second was a remarkable breach series by Dale Walsh, who was also winner of the "Best Overall Photo."


www.pacificwhale.org/photogallery_2004/gallery.html