Individual Humpback whales can be identified by the patterns on the underside of their fluke (tail fin) which shows when they do a deep dive.

I have started a collection of identifying photos contributed by naturalists, dedicated whale watchers and enthusiastic tourists, mostly flickr members, who have generously contributed their photos to my flickr site called "flukematcher".

http://www.flickr.com/photos/flukematcher/collections/72157627669408461/

We hope flukematcher will serve many functions:
1) make it possible to identify a whale you might see on a whale watch trip by taking your photo through the collection and finding a match. ... Over 6000 individuals have been identified in the North Atlantic but there aren't any catalogs available to the general public.

2) share sightings and information about individual whales (some have been observed for over 30 years). For example if a new calf is born it is invaluable to get i.d. photos. Also sightings of old timers that reassure us they are still alive and "fluking".

3) to bring together folks who love humpbacks and would like to know and share more information about them both as individuals and as a species. less ↑