How a 40-ton whale gave tourists a flying lesson

How a 40-ton whale gave tourists a flying lesson

By RICHARD SHEARS - More by this author » Last updated at 11:51am on 4th June 2007

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Blasting out of the water like a giant torpedo, this was the astonishing moment when 40 tons of humpback whale decided to give an air show.

Its flippers stretched out like wings as it hurled itself towards wildlife photographer Ray Alley - who fortunately had his camera at the ready.

Mr Alley was on board a tourist whale-watching boat off the coast of New South Wales when he caught these shots of a lifetime.