Bottlenose Dolphins - mother and calf - from the Kessock Bridge, by Inverness. One of many benefits of me cycling in to work. The motorists have no chance of seeing them.

I see Dolphins from the bridge on odd occasions. Most often it's these two. Inseparable - might be the best description of them - a mother and calf. On this morning they were quite beautiful to watch, as they very slowly, and gently, moved (almost flowing) around each other Always very close. I found the very obvious intimate bond between the pair quite moving, and almost felt voyeuristic watching them. As I said, quite beautiful.

The tide was going out, and the change in the water clarity is from the fresh water flowing out from the River Ness, meeting the more silt laden water from the Beauly Firth.

Apologies for it not being clearer, but a fixed 30mm lens on this camera is in no way telephoto! This is fairly heavily cropped. If you look at the bigger version, your likely looking at the 100% view (it's not a bad lens...).

On other days, whilst out in the sea kayaks, the Dolphins often come to see us, and swim alongside for a wee while. When this pair (or other mother and calf pairs) come alongside, it's almost as if they're linked to each other - swimming at a set (close) distance between each other, and surfacing to breath together. The male ones are noticeable by being a fair bit larger. Very special moments. Here's a favourite from a while ago, as they arrived to brighten up a miserable wet and grey day. Taken at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth.