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WHALE OF A TIME

Stunning pictures reveal first ever underwater photos of humpback whales in Britain

Two lucky wildlife photographers captured the moment the gentle giants swam by them in the waters off the Shetland Islands

RARE underwater footage of humpback whales has been captured for the first time in British waters.

The amazing moment was caught as the gentle giants made their way by the Shetland Islands, Scotland, while on their migration route.

The rare moment was witnessed off the Shetland Islands, Scotland, by wildlife photographers Richard Shucksmith and Brydon Thomason
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The rare moment was witnessed off the Shetland Islands, Scotland, by wildlife photographers Richard Shucksmith and Brydon ThomasonCredit: Barcroft Media
The Shetland Islands’ locals had spotted the whales feeding in the area over the previous three weeks, and was anticipating an opportunity to photograph them up close
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The Shetland Islands’ locals had spotted the whales feeding in the area over the previous three weeks, and was anticipating an opportunity to photograph them up closeCredit: Barcroft Media

Locals had seen the enormous marine mammals feeding in the area during the past three weeks and two wildlife photographers decided to attempt to film them.

Richard Shucksmith and Brydon Thomason swam side-by-side with the whales, which can grow up to 52ft, to capture the once in a lifetime experience.

Growing up to 52 ft, and weighing approximately 36,000 kg, despite their intimidating size, humpback whales are harmless to humans and mostly eat krill and small fish
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Growing up to 52 ft, and weighing approximately 36,000 kg, despite their intimidating size, humpback whales are harmless to humans and mostly eat krill and small fishCredit: Barcroft Media
During the winter months humpback whales leave the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and migrate past the UK to warmer locations
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During the winter months humpback whales leave the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and migrate past the UK to warmer locationsCredit: Barcroft Media
Humpback whales, and other whales, were once almost hunted to the brink of extinction by humans
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Humpback whales, and other whales, were once almost hunted to the brink of extinction by humansCredit: Barcroft Media
The two lucky photographers were able to watch and film to giant whales moving past them in the Scottish waters
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The two lucky photographers were able to watch and film to giant whales moving past them in the Scottish watersCredit: Barcroft Media

Richard said: "I had been waiting for a weather window to go and try to get underwater images of the humpback whales. One of the crew took us out on his boat on an incredibly calm and sunny day, rare in mid-winter.

"We followed at a distance and manoeuvred the boat into the sound and turned off the engine and waited.

"Then all of sudden one surfaced 20m away, and I slipped into the water and within seconds both the whales were heading straight towards me.

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"My heart was in my mouth as I realised this was going to be so close, and with just an arm’s length from me they turned, looked at me and gently glided past. I was astounded and so happy to have such a close encounter, the gentle giants of the sea."

Humpback whales weigh approximately 36,000kg and were once hunted to the brink of extinction for their oil and meat by humans.

They eat krill and small fish and are not a danger to humans.

During the winter months they leave the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and migrate past the UK to warmer waters.

The whales had been seen by locals as they fed in the area off the Shetland Islands for the past three weeks
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The whales had been seen by locals as they fed in the area off the Shetland Islands for the past three weeksCredit: Barcroft Media
The pair followed the whales at a distance and eventually were able to get in the water with them
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The pair followed the whales at a distance and eventually were able to get in the water with themCredit: Barcroft Media

Richard added: “Every year there are sightings of humpbacks round Shetland but they have not been predictable in the past.

“This year we suspect that there has been a good food source for them round Shetland such as large shoals of mackerel inshore."

“It was an incredible experience, a privilege to be swimming with humpbacks in UK seas.

“People travel to places like Tonga and Norway to swim with humpbacks and here we are doing it in the UK. British seas are truly amazing.”

Earlier this year a huge 50ft dead whale washed up on the coast of Devon – sparking fears it would explode.

An adventurer managed to capture one of the greatest photobombs of all time as he posed with a humpack whale in the Pacific ocean.

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