A TALENTED photographer has captured stunning images of a US fighter jet weaving between Cumbria’s fells on a low-flying exercise.

Mark Taylor recently snapped the McDonnell Douglas F15 Eagle from the United States Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk.

The images are so detailed, he’s even captured the crew.

Mark said: “The photo was taken just north of Grasmere.

“I am quite new to aviation photography ­— I usually take wildlife photos.

“I live local to the area and was out with my dog, called Spud, and I always take my camera with me.

“I was very lucky to capture the shot as low flying these days is very hit-and-miss due to changing world threats and obviously budget constraints.

“But it’s great to see it when they do fly through the Lakes.”

The Ministry of Defence operates a number of areas in the UK for low flying.

These are known as Tactical Training Areas (TTA) and are situated in northern Wales, northern Scotland and the borders area of southern Scotland and northern England, including the Lake District.

A spokesman for the ministry said: “Operational low flying is an essential skill and is practised by fixed-wing aircraft between 100 feet and 250 feet, a more representative altitude at which pilots would fly in a combat scenario.

“The final decision to use a TTA is taken on the day itself as this kind of training can only take place when weather conditions allow.

“Late spring and summer are the busiest times for low flying as squadrons make full use of good weather to carry out their training.”

Times when exercises are likely to taker place can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/operational-low-flying-training-timetable