Dolphins.

Dolphins.

Dolphins.

Dolphins.

Scientists taking aim on pilot whale with cross-bow used to obtain tissue sample .

Tissue sampling dart just misses pilot whale.

Tissue sampling dart in whale.

Pursuing Leviathan for science. Taking tissue samples to study various whale biology parameters.

Scientists off NOAA Ship Delaware II taking tissue samples of pilot whales.

Bringing sea turtle aboard DAVID STARR JORDAN for study.

Inspecting damaged fin of injured sea turtle.

Scientist entering data on sea turtles that will be returned to the sea.

Preparing sea turtle for placing satellite transmitter on back.

Preparing sea turtle for placing satellite transmitter on back.

Bringing sea turtle aboard NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN for study and tagging.

Satellite transmitter placed on sea turtle prior to release. This will help scientists track migratory patterns of turtle.

Scientists securing sea turtle after placing satellite transmitter on back.

Scientist studying sea turtle after placing satellite transmitter on back.

Epoxying satellite transmitter on back of sea turtle.

Finishing process of putting satellite transmitter on back of sea turtle.

Taking samples from sea turtle for study of blood chemistry, genetics, etc.

Measuring sea turtle as part of observed parameters prior to release.

Sea turtle prior to release with satellite transmitter attached to back.

Large leatherback turtle swimming.

Large leatherback turtle swimming with snout out of water.

Snout of large leatherback turtle.

Spotted dolphin.

A magnificent profusion of life as a humpback whale dives amidst thousands of seabirds. The NOAA Ship OSCAR DYSON is in the distance.

A magnificent profusion of life as a humpback whale surfaces amidst thousands of seabirds. The NOAA Ship OSCAR DYSON is in the distance.

A magnificent profusion of life as a humpback whale dives amidst thousands of seabirds. The NOAA Ship OSCAR DYSON is in the distance.

A sperm whale starting to dive in the Gulf of Alaska.

A sperm whale diving in the Gulf of Alaska. This is a sequence of three photos stitched together.

Veterinarians Rachel Berngartt and Kate Savage volunteer with NMFS' Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network during the necropsy of a humpback whale calf.

Volunteers with NMFS' Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network necropsy a humpback whale calf.

Veterinarian Vic Walker, with NMFS' Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network, necropsies a humpback whale calf. This image was published in the Anchorage Daily News on October 21, 2005.

Veterinarians Rachel Berngartt and Kate Savage volunteer with NMFS' Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network during the necropsy of a humpback whale calf.

Veterinarian Vic Walker, with NMFS' Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network, necropsies a humpback whale calf.

Disentanglement expert Ed Lyman prepares to attempt rescue of a satellite-tagged humpback whale entangled in gillnet.

A satellite-tagged humpback whale entangled in gillnet surfaces in Chatham Strait while a rescue team prepares to cut it free.

A satellite-tagged humpback whale entangled in gillnet surfaces in Chatham Strait while a rescue team prepares to cut it free.

Barnacles attached to the ventral pleats of a humpback whale calf (photo taken during necropsy).

Barnacles attached to the ventral pleats of a humpback whale calf (photo taken during necropsy).

Barnacles attached to the ventral pleats of a humpback whale calf (photo taken during necropsy).

Ventral pleats and pectoral fin of a humpback whale calf (taken during necroscopy).

Humpback whales engage in cooperative lunge-feeding near Auke Bay, Alaska.

A humpback whale lands in the water after breaching near Auke Bay, Alaska.

Lunge feeding humpback whales in Alaskan waters.

A killer whale makes a close-up inspection of a small boat off the NOAA Ship DAVID STARR JORDAN as it returns to the ship. The coxswain seems oblivious to the large marine mammal directly astern of the boat.

Great whale.

Dolphin.