Two humpback whales swam right up to a kayaker near Redondo Beach on Saturday, according to photos sent to NBC4.
The pictures show the kayaker just feet from the whale, raising his arms in salute as one of the whales dove under the water, his paddle shorter than the width of the whale's massive fluke.
Humpbacks can grow to 60 feet long and live in waters across the world's oceans, according to NOAA. They typically feed in cold, coastal waters.
Photographer Laryssa Densmore captured the scene at about 12:40 p.m., she said, while she was whale watching. She said the whales were a mother and baby.
