Stunning: These amazing pictures show free-diver Leina Sato playing with a pod of spinner dolphins off the coast of HawaiiHumans and dolphins are known to interact well with each other but these incredible pictures show just how well that relationship has developed.
These amazing pictures show free-diver Leina Sato playing with a pod of spinner dolphins off the coast of Hawaii.
And over the years she has built up such an understanding with the intelligent marine mammals that they now even play games together, chasing and catching leaves.
Connection: Over the years she has built up such an understanding with the intelligent marine mammals that they now even play games together, chasing and catching leavesShe started swimming with them eight years ago and instead of her original intention of studying marine biology, she set up her own charter boat company.
This allowed her to dive with them practically every day for four years and to share her love of them with others.
Leina, 26, was born in Tokyo, but moved to France when she was one and again to Hawaii when she was 15.
Dedicated: Leina started swimming with dolphins eight years ago and instead of her original intention of studying marine biology, she set up her own charter boat company
Passionate: Setting up the business allowed Leina to dive with them practically every day for four years and to share her love of them with othersShe said: 'Dolphins have always been a strong part in Hawaiian life and culture and swimming with them is like completely losing yourself in another world.'
She described a game they now play where the dolphins find leaves floating on the surface and attach them to themselves before diving and playing catch with them.
She said: 'It's a spontaneous game but I have no idea who initiated it first, human or dolphin. It's a beautiful and simple example of interspecies communication through play.
Well-travelled: Leina, 26, was born in Tokyo, but moved to France when she was one and again to Hawaii when she was 15'It's basically playing a game of catch with a leaf instead of a ball, and needless to say, it is the dolphin leading the dance since we are so slow and clumsy in comparison.
'The dolphins can be a real tease. They will hook the leaf to their fin or tail and swim slowly, wiggling back and forth, enticing us to follow them in anticipation of the moment they will drop the leaf.
source: dailymail
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