After 10 years photographing whales off the coast of Sydney, Jonas Liebschner is revealing his project to the world in the form of photographic book Whales of Sydney: and other visitors to our shore. 

The book captures the migration of the majestic humpback whale past Sydney’s coast, which occurs between May and December annually.

Tour guide-turned-photographer Jonas has been working with whales for more than a decade, in both New Zealand and Australia. Despite his many years of experience, Liebschner says he still loves the surprises the ocean brings.

Whales of Sydney not only contains photographs of its namesake creature, but also other marine life during whale migration season.

In addition, the book documents the interaction between humpback whales and humans on the shore: observations which, in the past, have been vitally important in shaping our understanding of the animals.

Liebschner says, in the future, he dreams of taking an iconic shot of a breaching whale in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Luckily for him, the number of humpback whales passing Sydney’s shores each year was estimated to be 25,000 at the end of 2016, a number which is increasing by around 10 per cent each year.

Whales of Sydney will not only help to educate the public on whale behaviour; a percentage of the proceeds made from Whales of Sydney will also be donated to the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), a marine welfare organisation.

Whales of Sydney from New Holland Publishers is available from all good bookstores or online.

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