A photography book focussed on the playful colony of dolphins in the Moray Firth has won an national award.
Elgin-based Ness Publishing’s “On a Rising Tide” has been chosen as Scotland’s favourite nature photography title.
Packed with nearly 100 pictures of the popular mammals from veteran North Kessock photographer Charlie Phillips, voters could not resist the charm of the fascinating creatures.
The book concentrates on six bottlenose dolphins, including Charlie – who was christened in honour of the photographer – and uses the images to reveal their lives and behaviour.
Accompanying the pictures are Mr Phillips’ accounts of long days tracking the movements of the sea creatures from afar.
Eithne Nutt, co-owner of Ness, said: “We loved creating the book. Charlie’s photographs, stories and infectious enthusiasm for these amazing dolphins spurred us on to make the finished book the best it possibly could be.
“When you look at some of the pictures in the book you think it must be the Maldives instead of the Moray Firth.
“It’s just amazing when you see them burst through the surface water the way that Puddle does on the cover. Nobody can fail to be swept up by the way they leap, swim and coast along on a daily basis.”
Scars on the dorsal fins of the dolphins allow spotters to identify them from a distance to keep a track of their movements and tell their story.
The book took the prize over eight other titles, finishing top of the readers’ poll.
Mr Phillips added: “It’s always a thrill to photograph the dolphins. They haven’t been round an awful lot during the winter – they’ve been travelling about quite a bit.
“It’s getting round to the time of year where we will be seeing a lot more activity so I’m looking forward to getting out there again to see them.”