Awesome Whales

The biblical story of Jonah includes a part where the prophet is swallowed by a whale and survives inside its belly for three days and nights. But what would happen if you really got gulped up by one of these giant sea mammals? House of the Future explores the practical realities of this folktale.

Artist Blake McFarland previously impressed us with his sculpture of a bear that he carved from wood and epoxy resin. Now he’s back with another amazing animal sculpture he made with the same technique. The finished piece looks incredible and now lives at The Founders Room at The Beacon in Topeka, Kansas.

Yoshihiro Cutlery’s playfully designed utility knives are inspired by different species of whales. Each one has a high carbon white steel core, and a Kurouchi black forged finish and handle. They’re great in the kitchen, serving cheese, or carving.

Incredible footage of a giant orca splashing through the water, highlighted by a moment in which its mighty tail tosses a seal some 80 feet into the air. And before you cry “animal cruelty,” we’re guessing the seal was going to be his lunch anyhow.

A group of whale watchers were off the coast of Monterey, California when they spotted just what they were looking for – a humpback whale breaching the water. They also got some bonus footage of the kayak that the beast capsized.

Zoologist and photographer Mark Carwardine used a drone to capture this enchanting moment of a grey whale mother and her calf playing with tourists on a boat off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.

It sounds like a scene out of a movie, but a father and daughter were whale watching off of Argentina when one swam under their kayak and lifted it. You’re not supposed to touch whales, but we’re not sure it could have been avoided.

With the help of a flying drone, Dave Anderson of Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari captured this incredible footage of thousands of common dolphins stampeding off of Dana Point, California. He also snooped on some humpback whales.

Director John Martin’s endearing animated film about a future “after the nuclear war between the nations of Facebook and Google” in which Earth is recolonized by anthropomorphic versions of animals instead of humans.

Undersea pilots Graham Hawkes and Lee Behel deep dive in their DeepFlight Super Falcon submersible in the waters of Hawaii on a quest to hear the song of the whale. Some of the most beautiful GoPro footage we’ve ever seen.

A fishing boat off the coast of British Columbia encounters an unexpected visit from a humpback whale, as it goes flying into the air just feet from the side of their boat. Photo: Matthew Thornton.

Surfing off the coast of Santa Cruz, California, a woman comes dangerously close to becoming an accidental whale Happy Meal, as a pod of humpbacks start lunge feeding for fish.

We wouldn’t usually use the word “Epic” to describe a grand piano, but Robert Majkut’s Roland-powered digital grand piano, inspired by the beauty of the sea-faring mammals is truly deserving of the word.

Twitter users should enjoy Ian Leino’s Fail Whale Pale Ale tee, based on the beloved Twitter icon. Get it while it’s hot at TeeFury today only; get pint glasses and can koozies at Ian’s shop.

If Free Willy went something like this horror version, we probably would have seen it when it came out. You gotta love it when Willy jumps out of the pool like that bull that jumped into a crowd.