AN AMATEUR photographer from Dunfermline has captured the stunning sight of a humpback whale as it glided out and back into the River Forth.

Jane Ferguson has been desperate to snap the Forth's latest resident and was delighted with the results when he or she finally decided to make an appearance for the camera.

The results, taken from Pettycur Harbour, were amazing and pictured the graceful mammal in mid air as it jumped out of the water.

Jane, of Linburn Road, had been tracking the activity of the animal on the Forth Marine Mammals Project Facebook page and, after a family of three Humpback whales had headed back to sea last month, she was pleased to see another last week.

"Every day I have been off, I have been down at Kinghorn and watching it going up and down and hoping for that wee shot which I managed to get," she said.

"It was a lovely sunny day and there were four full body breaches where it came right out of the water. It was utterly astounding.

"Two nights beforehand, my husband and I had watched it and it had not been doing much at all but there was no wind and you could even hear it breathing even though it was two miles out."

It is thought that the Forth being a protected area for the fishing of sprats and herrings is encouraging more whales to visit.

"We think that is why they are coming back to the Forth because they are able to get a feed as the fish stocks have been replenished," explained Jane.

"The Forth Marine mammal group have spotted porpoises and Minke whales as well which are here all year round.

"I just love wildlife and taking pictures of wildlife. I love photography and being able to see the pictures. The experience of seeing the Humpback has been totally exciting.

"I work in an operating theatre so when I am working, I don't see daylight so it is great to come here on my days off and take in the sea air. There is a great camaraderie as well from the people coming to spot it."