Claim: An image posted online shows an up close view of a humpback whale’s eye. Rating: [3.88 out of five].
An image making the rounds online in October 2024 purported to depict with stunning clarity the bright, blue eye of a whale, which versions were posted across various social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X. Instagram users even used one version for posting. Here’s one such post that appeared online:
Snopes verified with Rachel Moore that she took this photograph near Tahiti on Oct 6, 2024 – thus verifying its authenticity and validity.
Moore estimates the “Sweet Girl” whale to have been between three and four years old before she was struck and killed by a fast-moving ship two days following their encounter, according to reports from Moore.
Moore served as both judge and finalist in the 2024 Ocean Conservancy’s Annual Photo Contest as well as being named to their 2023 UN World Oceans Photo Competition. She was appointed an Ambassador by PADI. Additionally, Forbes featured Moore’s underwater photographs in their articles covering ocean conservation efforts.
On Oct. 8, 2024, and also via her website, this marine photographer first shared this photograph on social media and her website.
Moore posted an Instagram photo which described as being cropped from its original frame; however, Moore failed to identify which species of whale it depicted and Snopes reached out for more details including when and where she took it. For reference: Her Instagram caption read as follows.
Galaxies in Her Eyes
Much can be said about this season’s encounters and swimming with whales overall, yet many visitors come simply wanting to be photographed next to whales instead of actually witnessing them first hand.
Respect these animals and their space by watching without disturbing their behavior, without making attempts at tracking. Whales come here to rest, mate, give birth and nurture their young; any attempt at tracking can drain energy they need during their six to eight month fast.
Swimming with these magnificent beings can be an amazing privilege and should always be done with their space in mind – there’s no need to chase after or force interactions; sometimes whales will come over on their own accord to interact.
I found my moment with eye contact unimaginably amazing; never have I encountered such an astonishing creature as this whale; truly unforgettable experience for me.Both images below have been cropped from original frames for easier viewing on Sony Alpha A1.
Moore directed Snopes to an Instagram highlight section in which she posted images documenting their interactions over two days, during which time Moore described “Sweet Girl” as an “incredibly special whale” who wanted “eye to eye contact with me”. Moore further elaborated in writing.
Sources. Sources of Acknowledging Information are: (Sources of Knowledge are listed at the end)
2023 Photo Competition – United Nations World Oceans Day on 8 June 2023 can be found here https://unworldoceansday.org/photos/2023-photo-competition/and Rachel Moore is https://rachelmoorephotos.com/about Accessed 2 Nov 2024 Instagram “Meet the Judges (Photo Contest).” Accessed 2 November 2024 Ocean Conservancy’s Photo Contest Judge Biographies can be found online here (accessed 2 Nov 2024 ): RACHEL MOORE’S Portfolio can be seen here (https://rachelmoorephotos.com/portfolio), as can that of Cecilia Rodriguez from RachMoorePhotos “Beauty Under The Sea: 24 Photos From the Finalists for Ocean Photographer of the Year.” Forbes. Accessed 2 November 2024. Taylor, Alan. 2023 Winners of Ocean Photographer of the Year from The Atlantic can be found online here at https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/09/winners-ocean-photographer-of-year-2023/675387/ Accessed on 2 Nov 2024Wormald Sarah introduced new 2022 PADI AmbassaDivers on 15 Feb 2022 by creating this blogpost here – http://blog.padi.com/2022-padi-ambassadivers/ accessed 2 November 2024Wormald Sarah introduced new 2022 PADI AmbassaDivers and this blogpost could not have been published otherwise due to technical restrictions regarding website access on 15 Feb 2022 being disabled after updating with no visible change since I cannot use https://blog.padi.com/2022-padi-ambassssadivers/ for use during 2024/2025…
Function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) on function() will return 1 in case function() calls callMethod?.
Call Method with Arguments (and Arguments). Push Method (and Arguments). [=_fbq=n;n.push = n;loaded=!0;version = 2.0′], if(!f._fbq =n), Push =N n Queue is set =[] with T=b.createElement(e), ASync=!0 and T.src=v The method uses B.getElementsByTagName(e). t.src=v while S=B.getElementsByTagName(e), until pushing is performed; in which nqueue push(arguments), pushing to version 2.0
Insert Befor(t,s). Window.document, script ‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’).
Fbq(‘Initialize PageView Tracker’);
