Maldives 2013, Athuruga - Photos 3

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Sharks and Rays

Wow.  At my favourite dive site, Warren Tilla: part of a group of about 20 grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) in the distance at 25 metres depth.
Wow. At my favourite dive site, Warren Tilla: part of a group of about 20 grey reef sharks in the distance at 25 metres depth.
And seconds later, a big (~4m) manta ray (Manta birostris or possibly manta alfredi) glided past majestically.
And seconds later, a big (~4m) manta ray<em> (Manta birostris or possibly manta alfredi) glided past majestically.
The manta passes over me just a couple of metres away.
The manta passes over me just a couple of metres away.
The manta was accompanied by four remora (aka Sharksucker: Echeneis naucrates).
The manta was accompanied by several remora (aka Sharksucker: Echeneis naucrates).
As we cling onto the reef in the current at 28m, a couple of the remora peel off to check us out.
As we cling onto the reef in the current at 28m, a couple of the remora peel off to check us out.
Later on in the same dive, we came across this stingray, aka giant reef ray, (Taeniura melanospilos), fast asleep on the bottom.
Later on in the same dive, we came across this stingray, aka giant reef ray, (Taeniura melanospilos), fast asleep on the bottom.
And here's another one, also fast asleep, at Himandoo Tilla.
And here's another one, also fast asleep, at Himandoo Tilla.
As soon as we jumped into the water at Thudufushi Tilla, we saw, deep below us, this mixed group of spotted eagle rays and devil rays (aka mobula, Mobula japonica), numbering about 15 individuals in all.
As soon as we jumped into the water at Thudufushi Tilla, we saw, deep below us, this mixed group of spotted eagle rays and devil rays (aka mobula, Mobula japonica), numbering about 15 individuals in all.
This spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) was rooting in the sandy bottom for food at 25m at Emmas Tilla.
This spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) was rooting in the sandy bottom for food at 25m at Emmas Tilla.
Another big manta ray loomed out of the blue heading straight for me at Thudufushi Tilla.  Here it climbs slightly to pass over me.
Another big manta ray loomed out of the blue heading straight for me at Thudufushi Tilla. Here it climbs slightly to pass over me.
Its cephalic fins are shown well here as it passes me a few metres away.
Its cephalic fins are shown well here as it passes me a few metres away.
Its belly markings are easily seen here - they are like fingerprints, identifying a particular individual.
Its belly markings are easily seen here - they are like fingerprints, identifying a particular individual.
And it disappears back into the blue.  What a sight!
And it disappears back into the blue. What a sight!

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