Thudufushi, Maldives 2017 - Photos 2

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Sharks and Rays

Three White-tip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) circle around us at Thudufushi Thila.
Three White-tip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) circle around us at Thudufushi Thila.
An elegant Spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) at Panettone Kandu...
An elegant Spotted eagle ray <em>(Aetobatus narinari) </em>at Panettone Kandu...
...and another at Ali Thila.
...and another at Ali Thila.
...and another dashes across the reeftop in front of me at Kuda Miaru Thila.
...and another dashes across the reeftop in front of me at Kuda Miaru Thila.
And a formation of six Spotted Eagle Rays hang motionless in the distance in the upwelling current at Himandhoo Thila on the edge of the atoll.  This photo shows well all the suspended matter in the water - plankton, organic debris etc, which reduces visibility.
And a formation of six Spotted Eagle Rays hang motionless in the upwelling current at Himandhoo Thila on the edge of the atoll.
Sandra makes room for an unconcerned Stingray (Taeniura melanospila) at Maavaru Corner.
Sandra makes room for an unconcerned Stingray (Taeniura melanospila) at Maavaru Corner.
Dive master Federico makes friends with one at Thudufushi Thila.
Dive master Federico makes friends with one at Thudufushi Thila.
And another unconcerned one ignores us at Panettone Kandu.
And another unconcerned one ignores us at Panettone Kandu.
A couple of Reef Manta rays (Manta alfredi) circled around the cleaning station for half the dive time at Maavaru Corner on my first visit this year.  This photo also shows much suspended matter in the water - but we can't complain - it's the large amounts of plankton that attracts the mantas to this location at this time of year.
A couple of Reef Manta rays (Manta alfredi) circled around the cleaning station for half the dive time at Maavaru Corner on my first visit this year.
There are spectacular numbers of reef fish at Maavaru Corner.
There are spectacular numbers of reef fish at Maavaru Corner.
The mantas circled round and round to get their teeth cleaned (yes, I know they don't really have teeth!).
The mantas circled round and round to get their teeth cleaned.
When they pass overhead we can see the pattern of spots on their bellies.  These are unique to each manta, like fingerprints.  Jennifer from the Manta Trust used these to identify individual mantas.
When they pass overhead we can see the pattern of spots on their bellies. These are unique to each manta, like fingerprints. Jennifer from the Manta Trust used these to identify individual mantas.
Same dive-site, on a different day.  But the spot patterns are identical - it's the same manta!
Same dive-site, on a different day. But the spot patterns are identical - it's the same manta!
A hundred metres seaward of the manta cleaning station at Maavaru Corner, down at 35 meters, you can almost guarantee dozens of Grey Reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).
A hundred metres seaward of the manta cleaning station at Maavaru Corner, down at 35 meters, you can almost guarantee dozens of Grey Reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).
Dive master Govinda moves in for a closer look.
Dive master Govinda moves in for a closer look.
Afterwards, he said the further forward he went, the more sharks he could see.
Afterwards, he said the further forward he went, the more sharks he could see.

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