Take it One Ray at a Time

We all have had days where things just don't seem to be going right. Yesterday was one of those for me, for a myriad of reasons that aren't really out of the ordinary. But then something out of the ordinary happens and washes it all away.

I had that type of day yesterday, then in the afternoon these showed up on the NW corner of the island. A corner we regularly dive into for a short swim.

Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari)

I have seen one, on two separate occasions while snorkeling. The last one was quite a while ago. There were 13 of these guys hanging out in that general location. The currents have been strong off the north side of the island, and it is thought that some of their food source may have been momentarily concentrated of in this corner.

Rays are cousins to sharks, but totally unlike them in appearance. Like sharks, their skeletons are cartilage, they have gill slits instead of gill covers, and the mouth is usually on the underside.

Eagle rays (family Myliobatidae) have a distinct head, triangular "wings" and a long, slender tail that often exceeds the length of the body.
They swim by using their pectoral fins like wings. "Flying" gracefully high in the water. Sometimes even leaping into the air. Now, I have never seen that. Wow.

Here they all come again..

... thirteen silent reminders.


good morning.

-mwyork