Southern right whales travel between their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean and the coastal waters of southern Australia, where they spend winter mating, giving birth and nursing their calves. Mothers can remain close to shore for several months, giving their calves time to grow before the journey south. Once hunted close to extinction, their recovery has been slow, particularly in south-eastern Australia, where the population is estimated at around 300 whales. Their broad backs, lack of a dorsal fin and distinctive white markings on their heads, known as callosities, make them recognisable. Each whale has a unique callosity pattern, allowing researchers to identify individuals and follow their lives over time. I feel lucky to have photographed these whales along the NSW coast, especially mothers with their calves. Every photograph in this collection was taken by me using my DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone. These are real photographs of wild southern right whales, with no AI-generated imagery.