Sea lion joins in with surfers and even gives one a helpful nudge with its flipper as he catches a wave off of Australia

  • Photographer Nick Thake, from Perth, Australia, took the images showing a sea lion touching the surfer  
  • Nick, 37, visited North Beach last week hoping to get an image of surf when he accidentally captured moment 
  • He says he didn't know he had taken the amazing picture until he got home and was editing the photographs 

Incredible photographs have captured the moment a sea lion gave a surfer a helping hand in catching a wave.  
Nick Thake, from Perth, Australia, took the images showing a sea lion nudging a surfer with its flipper as it jumped out of the water and tried to get involved.
The 37-year-old visited North Beach last week hoping to get an image of the surf when he accidentally snapped the mischievous sea lion that breached the water during one of the shots.
Photographer Nick Thake, from Perth, Australia, took the images showing a sea lion nudging a surfer with its flipper as he tries to catch the wave
Photographer Nick Thake, from Perth, Australia, took the images showing a sea lion nudging a surfer with its flipper as he tries to catch the wave
The seal successfully taps the surfer, pushing him forward and the sea lion swims off in the other direction. The pictured were taken at a beach in Perth, Australia
The seal successfully taps the surfer, pushing him forward and the sea lion swims off in the other direction. The pictured were taken at a beach in Perth, Australia 
Nick, who also works as a marine scientist, couldn't believe his luck when he reviewed his images to find the sneaky sea lion making its hilarious appearance.
He said: 'That day I went down to the beach to get out of the house, and as always I had a camera in hand knowing I might capture a surf shot with the swell forecasted.
'The image set shows the surfers catching waves, and on one set they had an unexpected visitor being an Australian sea lion. Due to the angle of the shot, I have a feeling the surfers were oblivious to the sea lion even when it was mid air!
Nick had headed out with his camera to capture some surf shots because there had been a swell forecasted, but he was shocked to find out he had captured the incredible moment
Photographer Nick Thake, 37, from Perth, Australia, shooting above the ocean in a helicopter. Nick also works as a marine scientist
Photographer Nick Thake, 37, from Perth, Australia, shooting above the ocean in a helicopter. Nick also works as a marine scientist 
'The best thing about these sea lion images is that I didn't know I had them until I was reviewing them at home and nearly fell off my chair when editing!
'An encounter with a sea lion is often an amazing experience, especially when diving.
'Sea lions are curious creatures and will not hesitate coming in for a closer look.
'On the other hand a breach from the water like this has the potential to reflect a defensive swimming manoeuvre to avoid larger predators being sharks.
'But after checking the shark alerts for that area and time, there were no sightings that day so we can put this down to playful nature!'

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