Gliding silently under the seas these magnificent stingrays resemble a golden cloud stirring in the ocean.

Taken off the coast of Holbox Island in Mexico in July last year these spectacular pictures show the twice yearly migration of thousands of cow-nosed stingrays.

Measuring up to 7ft from wing-tip to wing-tip, cow nose rays are known for their long migrations in large schools.

In the Atlantic Ocean, their migration is northward in the late spring and southward in the late autumn.

Cow nose rays have a unique feature - long, pointed pectoral fins that separate into two lobes in front of their high-domed heads.

Despite having poisonous stingers cow-nosed stingrays are known to be shy and non-threatening when in large schools.

"We were surrounded by them without seeing the edge of the school, and we could see many under the water surface too.