THIS is the amazing moment a 400kg bottlenose dolphin came too close for comfort for one Scottish kayaker.
Stunned Shane Wasik was keen to get back to the main boat after a pod of dolphins started playing in the bay of the Isle of Coll on the west coast of Scotland.
The 33-year-old owns the ecotourism business Basking Shark Scotland and was on the first trip of the season he was treated to the show which was a bit too close for comfort.
Colleague Luke Saddler managed to capture the moment, and Shane’s worried expression, on camera.
“On Sunday night we got a report from a local that a pod of bottlenose dolphins were in the bay,” Shane explained.
“I headed out in the kayak to take photos.”
He continued: “The dolphins were jumping all over the place.
“There was ten in the pod, all taking turns to jump and cartwheel. There was a calf with them as well.”
Speaking about the moment the photograph was taken he said. “It was a really amazing experience but getting that close I was glad to get back to the boat.
“It’s still a wild animal that can weigh over half a tonne.
“It was right behind me,” he laughed. “It was close enough.
Shane said it was rare to see dolphins at such close quarters in that area.
He said: “Even the locals were saying they have never seen them in the bay like that before.
“We’ve had a really good start to the season.”