Mobula_Devil Ray

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 20, 20181,554 views11 comments

I arrived at the beach on Potrero Bay early morning a few days ago and I immediately noticed numerous fish jumping out of the water. As I got closer I could see individuals and small fevers of rays working their way up the coast, and this continued in waves for almost three hours. One of residents told me she heard the "slapping" noise these guys make on re-entry the entire night previous.
Several days later they have not reappeared. Quite a show for sure.

Potrero Bay, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica

D500
500mm f/4
1/1000s @f5.6
ISO 110
Handheld

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 20, 2018 at 1:56 PM

Excellent capture - something new and unique!
Fine detail, great pose, and the water drops make it perfect.
Very well-done!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on January 20, 2018 at 3:11 PM

Nice action, Chuck. I like the ray's wing positions, and interesting that all the droplets are in focus.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 20, 2018 at 3:32 PM

Thanks Bill. I think the droplets are actually from the ray in front of this guy and just fell in the plane of focus.

Best,

Chuck

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 21, 2018 at 2:37 AM

Chuck,
Remarkable capture devil

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 21, 2018 at 10:15 AM

Hello Charles, well done and brilliant, sharp focused action !

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 22, 2018 at 9:11 AM

Thumbs up. The composition is really nice, with flowing lines of the ray curling into the spaces of the frame, with the water droplets a counter balance in the more empty parts. Excellent. I would like to hear an explanation of the behaviors you described. And you must have smiled hugely for the results of your good timing on this capture.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 22, 2018 at 10:41 AM

Hi Lon,

Thanks for your critique on the Image. My wife did some research on the Mobula Rays and came up with this YouTube clip from the BBC which sheds light on the phenomenon we experienced, I’ve attached the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz6zOyZpYTY&sns=em

Best,

Chuck

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on January 22, 2018 at 12:29 PM

This is so cool. Great subject and great shot.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on January 23, 2018 at 9:48 PM

Nice work, Chuck. Couldn't have been an easy capture. I think the droplets are a great bonus, providing some much-needed texture.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 24, 2018 at 3:59 PM

This is awesome Chuck!! Love the mid air pose and the flying water everywhere. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 28, 2018 at 9:00 PM

Congrats on a fine WP - perfect perspective on the ray to see his face.
Congrats also on joining Nate Chappell's team for photo workshops.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments