The Whales of the Península Valdéz

Punta Madryn and the Península Valdéz are on the Atlantic coast of southern Argentina, in the province of Chubut. At various times of the year this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to right whales, sea lions, elephant seals, penguins, guanacos, and all manner of other creatures. These images were taken during an excursion into the Golfo Nuevo in August, 2008. The boat never pursued the whales, but rather sat in one place and the whales swam up to look, often coming within a foot or less of the small inflatable.