Mjollnir
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The Last of the Eagle Ray Squadrons in Cozumel - 2005/12/15 03:55
As most of the Cozumel regulars know (or heard of) by now that one of the recently discovered phenomenons in Cozumel is the gathering of Spotted Eagle Rays, in December and January, for their mating season. Although isolated individuals or pairs can be seen throughout the southern reefs, squadrons of up to 30 or 40 of them swimming in formation can only be found on the seldom dived north side of the island.
When we arrived Cozumel several days ago, the first thing Albert (or Prima restaurant) said was that `they`re already gone`. In previous years, I had gone with Albert to watch those rays, before any dive shop took divers out there.
This morning, since our boat had only 3 divers, my wife, Chico, and me, and Chico already had his kick yesterday of diving to 235 fsw at the Cedral Wall, the DM suggested it would a good time to try to see the eagle rays at the `usual spot` just north of downtown area.
Only two boats were there. 6 divers from Careyitos, and 3 divers from Caballitos. The eagle rays didn`t disappoint us. On the first dive, we waited at the ledge around 90 fsw, and five of them showed up, in perfect formation, and glided effortlessly right in front of our waiting cameras. They would circle around and return again, and again, until the dive computers indicated it was time to ascend. We were all diving on air, and 39 minutes were all we could get, without incurring deso.
We pondered whether to do the second dive riding the swift current of San Juan, or do a repeat of the first, and the decision wasn`t even close because we had planned to do the second dive on EAN36 anyway, and that would be the prefect gas to stay for a long time at 90-100 fsw. And we did, to the encore of the same 5 eagle rays. They were not the BIG mamas and papas one would see during the prime time of the mating season, but (judging by size) juveniles and one baby. These are usually the last to (grow up) and leave.
Don`t know how much longer the remaining eagle rays will stay. But it was a wonderful way to say `bye` to February in Cozumel, and say hello to the Mardi Gras (aka Carnaval ) whose Masquarade Parades will begin tomorrow March 1, and then repeat on March 2 and March 4, each at 6:00 pm.
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