Special Edition/250

This image of a Humpback Whale titled Golden Splash, was taken in Salish Sea on a warm, glowing sunset, and while I have tried to get this image again, I am realizing now it might be once in a lifetime.

A crescent of whale tail cleaves the ocean as the sun melts into the horizon — droplets fly like molten gold and the fluke’s textured silhouette reads like a final, monumental brushstroke. The sea and sky fuse into a warm wash that turns a brief, wild gesture into a quiet, cinematic moment.

This shot was difficult because the behavior happened in a heartbeat: the tail flick, the spray, and the perfect backlight all had to align while the boat and whale moved. Sunset light is beautiful and brutal — exposure windows are tiny, autofocus can struggle on dark, wet surfaces, and every frame must be timed precisely to hold detail in both shadow and shimmer.

Add this limited edition image to your collection. It preserves an impossible, golden instant of marine life — a dramatic, hopeful piece that brings the motion and mystery of the Salish Sea into your home and stands as a reminder of the rare, unforgettable moments the ocean offers.