LOOK, I’m flying! Like a torpedo this giant humpback whale propels itself out of the water off Freshwater this week, putting on quite a display for whalewatchers.

Manly Ocean Adventures owner and photographer Blake Horton captured these stunning images — despite the whale appearing as if from nowhere.

“They can pop up anywhere,” Mr Horton, who has been honing his skills photographing breaching whales over several years, said.

“They’re only out of the water for two seconds, it was a lot of photos of splashes for the first few years.”

media_camera A whale is captured breaching off the coast of Freshwater Beach. Picture: Blake Horton/ manlyoceanadventures.com.au

Humpbacks can propel their 30,000kg bodies clear of the water, streamlining themselves with their long pectoral fins close to their sides and using their powerful lower torso and tail fluke to shoot up and out of the water.

media_camera Manly Ocean Adventures owner and photographer Blake Horton captured these stunning images — despite the whale appearing as if from nowhere. Picture: Blake Horton / manlyoceanadventures.com.au

media_camera Picture: Blake Horton / manlyoceanadventures.com.au

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There are varying theories on why the behemoths, which are now migrating north for winter, breach — from signalling other whales, to sloughing off itchy parasites and dead skin, or even just for fun. Or all of the above.