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Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/17/2013 7:09:30 PM

Morning Dive

Posts: 103
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Myself and dive buddy Adan and some others were approaching the end of our dive. I was slightly ahead of the group which is where I like to be. I looked down to the bottom between a couple of coral heads and was astounded when I saw this enormous StingRay laying in the sand. I was about 20 feet up which might give some perspective how big this thing was.

I signaled Adan to go around behind it and I would get down in front, and hopefully get a nice opportunity for a photo.

So Adan gets into place, trying not to spook it out its spot. I got right down on my belly in front of it and started snapping away. I could tell it was getting agitated by the flapping, like ailerons on a plane. Due to my close proximity I didn't want to get it too irritated.

Too late...it was lifting off and I was in no position to get out of its way. I had large coral heads on both sides and reverse is not an option. All I could do was put my face in the sand until I knew it had flown over me. Seeing this giant rising out of the sand gave me a shocking perspective of how big this guy was!

They fly for maybe 50 to 100 yds and then touch down. We went for one more look before ascending to our safety stop to finish the dive. Another amazing look at this beast, awesome!!

I LOVE DIVING!!!!

< Message edited by Morning Dive -- 3/17/2013 7:14:13 PM >

Post #: 1

RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/17/2013 7:39:30 PM

FinsUP

Posts: 6898
Joined: 1/16/2008
From: Oakville, ON ...we have squirrels here!!!
Status: offline

VERY NICE!
I saw an enormous one in Akumal Bay in November...biggest one I've ever seen...the size of a large (souvenir) sombrero....

Great photos!

< Message edited by FinsUP -- 3/17/2013 7:40:11 PM >

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/17/2013 7:44:06 PM

barata

Posts: 4138
Joined: 4/11/2006
From: a few degrees north of Akumal
Status: offline

Nice shots Noel, bet you have some other great photos to share - hint, hint...

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 6:32:52 AM

ChrisandCindy

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excellent, thank you

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 9:18:45 AM

SnorkelNfools

Posts: 2446
Joined: 7/27/2008
From: Southeastern PA
Status: offline

Great shots! We saw a couple of large ones in Akumal Bay, but not that big! Cool!

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 9:29:49 AM

sherrys07

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Joined: 7/15/2005
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Wow, great shots, but you are so brave to get that close to him!

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 9:51:05 AM

tmbutler

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Joined: 11/16/2005
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Great sequence of pix!! To have that thing take off over your head musta been quite a thrill. There are risks to take in capturing such a moment. And the pix don't always pan out. But these are awesome!!

TMB

Post #: 7

RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 9:58:03 AM

Bob in Milw

Posts: 3044
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: Milwaukee , Wi.
Status: offline

Nice pics Noel.
I'm glad Adan stayed behind him and didn't pull a Steve Irwin.
I used to get right on top of them to get a close pic but not anymore.

Peace, Bimmy

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 10:17:40 AM

sandinmypants

Posts: 4401
Joined: 2/17/2007
From: Iowa
Status: offline

Great photos, thanks for posting them - he's HUGE! My heart would have been pounding like crazy!

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 10:31:42 AM

Junnipper

Posts: 108
Joined: 11/12/2012
From: Atlantic Canada
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Great post! Thanks for sharing.

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 10:46:09 AM

Cabin Boy

Posts: 1994
Joined: 11/6/2008
From: A place that GPS does not work
Status: offline

Great pics, did the diver at the back end have a camera????
Last October we saw three rays together that were about four feet across fluffing up the sand. Camera had a dead battery and no pics.

You must have just about $&#@ your pants when it flew over you.

CB

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 12:15:48 PM

T Daddy

Posts: 530
Joined: 7/21/2006
From: New York City
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very nice-thanks

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 12:46:06 PM

crunch

Posts: 25710
Joined: 2/23/2005
From: Dreaming of my next vacation to paradise......
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Very cool!

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RE: Monster seen at 60ft - diving Akumal - 3/18/2013 1:17:34 PM

LaurainPA

Posts: 401
Joined: 1/18/2006
Status: offline

great pix!! Saw a HUGE one in PA too, almost stepped on the dang thing, thank goodness he moved at the last second, he blended in with the sand perfectly:) My heart stopped for a second, he was a BIG boy:)

Post #: 14