The Whale galaxy, NGC 4631 is heavily mottled and appears to be undergoing a great deal of activity. It is intereacting with NGC 4627 which has distorted it and the interaction is likely the source of the activity and a great deal of star formation.

Details
Date and location - 2009-07-22 iat the VCO, Victoria BC
Coditions - Clear, calm, 18 deg C with no moon.
Equipment - Modified Canon T1i on Meade 14" SCT.
Exposure - 30 light, 20 dark frames for 60 min total exposure at ISO 3200.
Processing in Images Plus and Photoshop.