Jumping for joy: The incredible moment humpback whale leaps from the water - but watch out for that bird!

German photographer Mario Nonaka took the magnificent pictures while on a boat in Monterey Bay, California The humpback appears to wave one of its fins in Mr Nonaka's direction while soaring majestically through the air The whale comes close to clattering into a low-flying bird as it launches itself out of the Pacific Ocean These breath-taking pictures show a playful humpback whale leaping from the sea to show off to a group of tourists on a nearby boat. The humpback appears to wave one of its fins and leaps from the Pacific Ocean, almost clattering into a low-flying bird which gets the shock of its life as the giant creature emerges a few feet below. German photographer Mario Nonaka was amazed when the whale suddenly launched from the water and raised its fin in his direction.