Bat rays

[SaMoSUP]

There were a bunch of bat rays swimming below us while out surfing this morning. The fisherman who caught it was gonna have it for dinner.

[Night Wing]

Where I am in Texas, there are a few people who eat the wing meat from caught rays. I've tried the wing meat and it is a little tough, but it does taste good.

[SUP Sports ®]

One of the coolest surf sessions that I have ever had was surfing with bat rays underneath me...
Rare afternoon glass off...fire in the back country turning the sky orange...the water was clear with apple green tint...kelp beds had the surface tension on the water relaxed...and, I had a waterproof iPod on with Pink Floyd going...pretty surreal with the rays swimming below me in synchronicity to the music...

Don't think that I would eat a ray...my dealio with sharks is I don't eat them...they don't eat me...;-)

[surfcowboy]

I see these guys out snorkeling in Catalina sometimes. They are beautiful and like aliens in the water.

[SUP Sports ®]

I see these guys out snorkeling in Catalina sometimes. They are beautiful and like aliens in the water.

Truly remarkable creatures...

I saw some huge manta rays while SUP surfing in the South Pacific last year...a little unnerving seeing something that big in the water underneath you...;-)

[SaMoSUP]

One of the great benefits of being on a standup is getting to appreciate the mystique and magnificence of these creatures from above. My very first time on a standup I saw large turtles swimming along and underneath. That's what got me hooked on the sport. Now I get to surf with them. Can't wait to share a wave with a dolphin or seal sometime.

[Bulky]

Such cool creatures and one of my favorite things to see.  Out on the ocean I usually come up on them unexpectedly as I spot them in the water anywhere from 5 to 15 ft below the surface.  Happens so fast I can't really capture a good image so the show is just for me.  That changed last month when I had a chance to paddle in Morro Bay.  Long stretches of shallow water so I could just cruise alongside for a bit.

https://www.facebook.com/rolf.geyling/videos/vb.719099212/10154802428924213/?type=3&theater

[SUP Sports ®]

Nice one Rolf!

A drone captured this guy and his "pet" manta...I wouldn't be dragging my leash behind me, though...;-)

[mik911]

Heard you can use a cookie cutter to cut through the wings, cook it up and serve it as 'scallops'.
or in Mexico, chop up the wings and make "Machaca"

[RDubya]

I see these guys out snorkeling in Catalina sometimes. They are beautiful and like aliens in the water.

Truly remarkable creatures...

I saw some huge manta rays while SUP surfing in the South Pacific last year...a little unnerving seeing something that big in the water underneath you...;-)

Where in SP where you? great pics.

[PonoBill]

Used to be that circular cuts of ray wings were sold as "sea scallops". I'm not sure if that's still so. these days the wing meat is considered enough of a delicacy that it's sold as "skate wings". There are physical differences between the two, but not enough to tell when it's in the display case at your local.