YVES Lefevre has spent years travelling the world taking pictures of marine life. But in his most amazing images to date, the underwater photographer got up close and personal with his favourite subject - the humpback whale. The diver swam just metres away from the oblivious creature, who appeared content to remain on its back while Lefevre took a better look. He later encountered a smaller pair of whales who swam towards the camera. Rurutu island in French Polynesia, where the pictures were taken, has in recent years become known for whale watching as humpbacks go there to reproduce between July and October within easy sighting distance of the beach. The spectacular mammals are one of the larger rorqual species with adults ranging in length from 40-50 ft and weighing approximately 79,000lb. Lefevre has collaborated with big some of the most renowned photographers, including French director Luc Besson for the 1991 documentary Atlantis. Humpbacks feed only in summer, in polar waters, and migrate to tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter.                 " Daily Mail