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Blue Whale Surprises Host During Live TV Interview

A big blue whale photo bombed a reporter's live television shot.

Then the TV host got excited, very excited.

The surprise moment was caught during Steve Backshall's live interview on BBC One for "BBC Big Blue Live." Both Backshall and whale expert Dorris Welch paused to take in the glorious moment. 

"When I started my career, when I started filming wildlife just 16 years ago, if someone said go and film a blue whale I would have said they were crazy," said Backshall. "This is one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen live." 

The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have lived on earth, measuring up to 100 feet long with a tongue weighing as much as an elephant, according to National Geographic.

The live shoot took place at Monterey Bay's National Marine Sanctuary in California. BBC One captured views of the blue whale from above in a helicopter. 

After taking numerous breaths at the water's surface, the whale dove back down into the water to feed. 

"Just awe inspiring. I don't mind admitting to a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat," commented Karen Forbes on BBC Earth Facebook post. 

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GROUNDBREAKING TV MOMENT! Steve Backshall is interrupted by a blue whale live on BBC One for BBC Big Blue Live. During...

Posted by BBC Earth on Monday, August 31, 2015
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