Free Willy: The dolphin somersaults through the air after being kicked by the killer whale

The series of incredible pictures, showing the strange ways of the animal kingdom, were taken by Jodi Fredi.

The 65-year-old environmental consultant lives in Santa Cruz, California, US, where these spectacular shots were taken.

Jodi said: ‘The photos of the killer whale tossing the dolphin was taken about three miles from shore.

‘I watched as the whales torpedoed through the water, but could not tell what they were hunting.

In we go: The dolphin tumbles through the air after being hit by the Orca

Flippin heck: The dolphin is heading for an uncomfortable landing in the sea

‘The action was fast, the whale did a major tail throw, attempting to bat the unfortunate dolphin and moments later, she came up from below flinging the dolphin through the air.

‘As I watched through my lens, focused on the female killer whale, I saw the dolphin flying through the air like a bowling pin.

‘The vision took my breath away, according to the time stamp on my images, the toss took only one second.

‘When travelling at speed like that, it is easiest for a killer whale to simply ram the dolphin with its head to kill it.

‘Sometimes, the impact is so great and the trajectory just so, the prey flies through the air.

Closing in: The Orca whales are known as the ‘wolves of the sea’ due to their nature of hunting in packs

The Orca whales are known as the ‘wolves of the sea’ due to their nature of hunting in packs