Watching whales - with drones
Standing for hours on a shoreline with binoculars, trying to spot whales? American scientists are instead using drones for whale watching. They are taking science to new heights - and getting some amazing pictures.
Science from above
To learn more about the whales' behavior, researchers with NOAA - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - have started using drones. The high-tech devices offer a new insight into the animals' hunting techniques and social behavior. This picture shows a family of orcas off the Canadian coast.
Ever seen kissing killer whales?
Six rotors and a high-resolution camera: The drone hovers 40 meters (130 feet) above the water to get the best pictures, without disturbing the animals. Sometimes, the drone manages to capture intimate moments - such as these two killer whales nuzzling each other.
New possibilities
Surveying a population size becomes much easier with the help of the drones. Researchers are better able to monitor the number of animals and their physical condition over a longer period of time, and compare it with data from other whale pods.
The bigger, the better
Whales don't eat during their long travels into the Arctic, so it's crucial for them to have a stock of blubber - a special type of body fat - when they start their journey. This is especially important for lactating females. Despite weighing several tons, the female gray whale on the left may even be a bit underweight.
How close is too close?
The NOAA scientists have a special permit in order to get that close to the orcas and gray whales. To protect the animals, whale watchers must typically keep a distance of 300 meters - which means that pictures like these will remain a special treat.