Media Gallery: Photos Oldest

  • This family tree shows how the ancestors of whales moved gradually from land to sea.

    The Whale Family Tree
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    This family tree shows how the ancestors of whales moved gradually from land to sea. Early whales took advantage of abundant marine resources. Baleen whales evolved later as polar climates cooled and...
  • This whale poop was collected with the help of specially trained dogs.

    The Search for Whale Poop
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Fargo, the dog pictured here, is not just having a nice day at sea. He is helping researchers at the New England Aquarium in Boston detect scat (or poop) from North Atlantic right whales. The dogs...
  • Whale size comparison chart: Blue whale (69-90+ feet) , Finback (72-82 feet), Right whale (45-60 feet), Humpback (42-50 feet), Sperm whale (35-60 feet), Minke whale (28-30 feet), Killer whale (23-31 feet), Beluga (13-15 feet), and Narwhal (13-15 feet).

    What is the Largest Whale? A Cetacea Size Comparison Chart.
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    How do right whales size up? North Atlantic Right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) are big, but they're not the biggest whales. That distinction goes to the Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the...
  • Sometimes the raven monitored Chilton’s progress from an overhead perch.

    Raven Keeps Watch over Carver
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Sometimes the “Watcher,” a raven with an irregular wing, monitored carver Douglas Chilton’s progress on the canoe from an overhead perch. More about raven spirit can be found in our Raven Spirit...
  • North Atlantic right whales migrate seasonally along the eastern coast of the United States.

    North Atlantic Right Whale Territory
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    North Atlantic right whales migrate seasonally between calving and feeding grounds along the eastern coast of the United States. Most North Atlantic right whales go south for the winter, to the...
  • Vertebrates evolved in the sea and eventually moved onto land. The ancestors of whales later returned to the sea.

    Whales Returned to the Sea
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Vertebrates evolved in the sea and eventually moved onto land. The ancestors of whales later returned to the sea, taking advantage of its rich food supplies. As early whales adapted to their new...
  • Tlingit paddlers set the canoe in Washington’s Potomac River for its ceremonial launch.

    Canoe Placed in Potomac River
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Tlingit paddlers carefully lift the Raven Spirit canoe into Washington’s Potomac River for its ceremonial launch. More about raven spirit can be found in our Raven Spirit featured story.
  • During whale hunts, this carved whale box stored harpoon blades like the three shown beside it.

    Inupiat Harpoon Box
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    During whale hunts, this carved whale box stored harpoon blades like the three shown beside it. "Living" inside the box was meant to give the blades spiritual powers to carry a harpoon back to the...
  • With the sun in its beak, the canoe’s raven figurehead points the way.

    Canoe Figurehead
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    With the sun in its beak, a raven figurehead points the way for the Raven Spirit canoe, now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. More about raven spirit can be found in our Raven Spirit...
  • This mask sits atop a decorative breastplate with images of whaling crews in skin boats called umiaks.

    Inupiat Ceremonial Mask
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Made from spruce wood and caribou teeth, this mask was worn in ceremonies of thanksgiving. It sits atop a decorative breastplate with images of whaling crews in skin boats called umiaks.
  • Members of the Tlingit Nation celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian’s Sant Ocean Hall.

    Celebrating in Washington
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Members of the Tlingit Nation celebrate the September 2008 opening of the Smithsonian’s Sant Ocean Hall. More about raven spirit can be found in our Raven Spirit featured story.
  • This ivory sculpture from Point Barrow, Alaska, represents Kikámigo, a guardian spirit, holding a whale in each hand.

    Inupiat Guardian Spirit
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    This ivory sculpture from Point Barrow, Alaska, represents Kikámigo, a guardian spirit, holding a whale in each hand.