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PIC OF THE DAY: Extraordinary moment dolphin breaches Cornish waters during sunset

The Daily Star's picture of the day is a magnificent shot of a dolphin breaching the water during a golden sunset just off the coast of Cornwall. It was spotted at a marine nature reserve

[a dolphin swimming in front of summer sunset]

The stunning image celebrates the rich marine life that can be seen all around our coastline.(Image: Amber Palfrey)

This once-in-a-lifetime shot captures the exact moment a dolphin breaches the water during a golden sunset just off the coast of Cornwall.

Where was the dolphin pictured?

This dolphin was spotted by Amber Palfrey, south of Looe Island, Cornwall, at a marine nature reserve where visitors can go on a sea safari and observe dolphins, seals and more of the island's marine life.

Amber is a photography enthusiast who works for the sea safari and lives locally. The 25-year-old says her snapshots make her "feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place," and we couldn't agree more.

There are other areas in the South West which offer the opportunity to witness dolphins, such as St Ives Bay, Falmouth Bay, and the waters surrounding Lizard Point and Lands End.

[a dolphin swimming in front of summer sunset]

The image is just stunning(Image: Amber Palfrey)

What kind of dolphin is it?

Although it's hard to confirm just from this image, this is likely one of the many bottlenose dolphins known to frequent the shores of Looe Island.

Bottlenose dolphins can be recognised by their short, stubby beak and dark-to-light grey colouration, which is paler on their underside. They also sport a curved dorsal find.

The inquisitive species are often seen hugging the shoreline, either alone or in groups, and can be spotted leaping from the water.

Elsewhere, Risso's dolphins are a lesser-spotted species in the vicinity of Looe.

Risso's have a unique appearance among dolphins with their blunt heads and prominent scarring, known as 'rake marks'.

These marks are caused by other Rissos when playing or fighting, using the teeth. These scarring patterns help distinguish between individual dolphins when in larger groups.

When is it best to spot dolphins at Looe Island?

Luckily for anyone who might want to head to Cornwall to catch a glimpse of these magnificent mammals, April to September is generally the best time of each to spot dolphins around Looe Island.

Peak season typically runs from May to September, due to the favourable sea conditions.

Early mornings and late afternoons tend to offer a better chance of catching them as dolphins tend to be more active around this time.

They may be closer to shore during high tide, particularly if searching for food, making them easier to spot from the coast or boats.

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