A humpback whale calf swimming near the surface in clear blue water at Silver Bank, Dominican Republic, with sun rays and a long white pectoral fin extended.

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Collector Edition

In Defense of Dreams

Silver Bank • Dominican Republic

Collector Edition of 25. Signed, numbered, registered.

This baby humpback was entertaining itself with us while its mother rested below. We were the babysitter. It kept getting braver and coming in close. Calves are playful and don’t have the control over their pectoral fins that adults do, so you watch those fins. An accidental hit will break bones. We stayed in about ten or fifteen minutes, then got out when it got a little too rambunctious. First close encounter of the trip, and still one of the best.