TGIF - Underwater - do we have any Eagle rays?

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:15 am

I just love Eagle rays, but have only seen one. Here's a picture from that encounter. Anyone else that could share Eagle ray pictures?

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:02 am

This photo is pretty fuzzy, but here's an eagle ray that we saw at Little Lameshur in August:

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:13 am

Nice job!These rays are my favorite!

Parafins

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:22 am

This one was at blue cobblestone:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/1795103377/" title="bc eagle ray 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/179 ... 92b91a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="bc eagle ray 3"></a>

I have also found them at Waterlemon, Caneel Hawksnest, and Great Lameshur. They are beautiful creatures.

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:24 am

parafins wrote:Nice job!These rays are my favorite! Parafins

Mine too. They are absolutely beautiful.

Let's hope for more Eagle ray pictures. And if someone has seen a Manta it's even better. That is one of my dreams to see one of those. I know they exists in the Virgins, but you should be really lucky to spot one of those. I would like to order Eagle ray and Mantas to our dives in November. Where do I do that?

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:33 am

Great picture Liamsaunt!

Now I know where to look in November.

We did one stop in Lameshur bay when we were on a day trip with captain Clark and another couple in our group saw one Eagly ray, but I missed it. The only one I've seen was in Turks and Caicos.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:39 am

I just remembered that we have found them at Salt Pond also--three times there.

I did not know that there are mantas in the USVI--I'm guessing they are only out in the open ocean, not close to shore?

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:51 am

liamsaunt wrote:
I did not know that there are mantas in the USVI--I'm guessing they are only out in the open ocean, not close to shore?

One of the DM's at Dive BVI have seen Mantas three times (in different places around the islands) and I also know one guy that saw a Manta and took a photo of it, close to Jost. So USVI/BVI - at least they exists.

I also think that they don't hang out close to beaches, but on the outer reefs and in open water.

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:02 am

These rays are by far my favorites! Thanks for the topic!

My first spotting of one was in late July of 2002 where the land drops deep on the side of the cay at Waterlemon. I didn't know what it was at the time and thought it was the most graceful/beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was HUGE and looked like it was flying. I will NEVER forget that experience. Unfortunately, I was the only one that saw it that time.

Last one was at Maho around the point and it swam across Maho towards Cinnamon. Some of our group saw two of them (said they appeared to be mom and young) at Vie's beach but we didn't see them

They are just amazing!

Oh and our one pic of the one at Maho is not good as the head and part of the tail are not in it.

pjayer · Post by **pjayer** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:28 am

Absolutely awesome pictures. I would love to spot one someday.

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:10 am

Maggy wrote:I would like to order Eagle ray and Mantas to our dives in November. Where do I do that?

Maggy - if we see eagles you'll hear a squeal underwater that you won't believe - that would be the one coming from my wife, the stingray FREAK!

If Leslie were to see a manta...well, I can't even imagine what would happen. I expect we'd have to hire a charter captain and stake out that very spot for the rest of our trip, if not the rest of our lives...

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:27 am

Augie, thanks for warning me. Now I don't have to be scared for that sound

Anyway, chances for an Eagly ray must be rather good, but we can probably forget about the Manta.

Oh, I'm so looking forward to November! Just one more month!

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:52 am

What I have noticed with them is that always seem to be moving and going somewhere as opposed to the regular rays that are always hanging out on the bottom.

If you see one, follow it and look at it as much as possible because before you know it, it will be gone.

That's been my experience anyway. Has anyone ever seen them sitting on the bottom or just kinda hanging out like the other rays?

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:39 pm

nothintolose wrote:What I have noticed with them is that always seem to be moving and going somewhere as opposed to the regular rays that are always hanging out on the bottom.

If you see one, follow it and look at it as much as possible because before you know it, it will be gone.

That's been my experience anyway. Has anyone ever seen them sitting on the bottom or just kinda hanging out like the other rays?

I think you are right. They seem to be on the move all the time. The one we saw just came out of the blue and disapperad as quickly. First I thought it was kind of spoky, before I saw what it was. It then came back a number of times and went away again.

Most sharks (and rays are related to sharks) can't be still, as they need the movement to breath. Maybe the Eagle ray also need to move all the time. I don't know this, just speculating. So if anyone know for sure, if they rest at the bottom, please tell us.

augie · Post by **augie** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:24 pm

I've never seen an eagle ray resting on the bottom, but I see a lot of southern stingrays doing that - they burrow their wings into the sand and let the sand cover them up and blend in to the bottom, while they lay in wait for their prey...

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