Family spooked by ghostly apparition in a selfie

A 13-year-old girl who took a selfie while fishing with her family may have one spooky catch on her hands.

"Notice my son Kolton in the background and then notice the gentleman standing to his right!!!" wrote Jessica Ogletree about her daughter Haley's photo, which she posted to Facebook.

The photo shows a smiling Haley on a boat, and behind her is brother, Kolton, who is bending over in a green shirt and cap, and next to him what appears to be the smiling face of a gentleman wearing a cap and possibly a suit ... only no such person was there, according to the Daily Mail.

The photo has been shared more than 3000 times since Sunday and received more than 1000 comments. There are plenty of believers, as well as sceptics. Many seemed to feel the picture was deliberately faked.

"I'm a believer and I've seen and photographed, but I'm not one to fall for baloney. The 'figure' looks almost perforated, as does the shadow on the guys shirt. I can think of a few ways this would be done, but I don't think it's real. Not discrediting anyone, it just looks like a trick," wrote Mandy Smith.

A close up shows the ghost in more detail. Photo / Facebook

"There is definitely a man there. Not sure why or how, but it's real," wrote Emily Leann Blunt, representing the opposite end of the spectrum.

Some were worried about the ghost's means to an end. "That is freaky, I hope he wasn't murdered there and can't rest," said Sandra Rusk.

"Hummmm ... I would do some research on the area. History as well as missing persons, you never know if the other side is trying to tell you something," said Mae West, also concerned that the ''ghost'' may have met an untimely end.