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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.”
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