Smile and a wave! Dolphin appears to ‘smile’ for camera during spectacular leap

These spectacular images capture the moment a bottlenose dolphin launched itself high out of the water – appearing to smile for the camera mid-air.

The incredible breach was photographed by Jonny Williams at Chanonry Point in the Moray Firth.

The images show the dolphin completely airborne, its full body visible as it cuts through the air with water spraying beneath it against the coastal backdrop.

Jonny, 52, from Llandudno, Wales, had been waiting patiently on the incoming tide, watching dolphins feeding in the distance before capturing the mid-air moment.

He said:“I was focused on the water waiting for a moment like this, and then suddenly this one launched itself perfectly into the frame.

“It was only a split second, but when I looked back at the image it genuinely looked like it was smiling right at me – that made it even more special.”

In one frame, the dolphin is captured at the peak of its jump, fully out of the water and parallel to the horizon, while another shows the powerful splash below as it propels itself into the air.

The incredible breach was photographed by Jonny Williams at Chanonry Point in the Moray Firth.

Jonny added:“It’s rare to get the whole dolphin out of the water like that, with such clarity.

“It was freezing and windy, but seeing them so active and so close to shore made the wait completely worthwhile.”

The dolphins, just off the Scottish coast, are known for their energetic displays, regularly delighting tourists and locals.

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