Humpback whale hand-burned on a basswood round measuring 9.5in x 6in

“Megaptera” means “big-winged” speaking to the long pectoral fins these balletic giants use to maneuver elegantly through the water. When I worked as a whale watching naturalist, these were a staple on boat trips out to the Farallon Islands. One day we ended up in a literal whale traffic jam as we became completely surrounded by humpbacks and couldn’t move. There were so many whales we lost count somewhere above 40, it was a remarkable day.