The Last of the Eagle Ray Squadrons in Cozumel

[Mjollnir]

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 <local spelling>) whose Masquarade Parades will begin tomorrow March 1, and then repeat on March 2 and March 4, each at 6:00 pm.

[Namsuah]

each on Tues and Wed provided smaller prey for the lenses. A couple of loners decided it was lunch time, so a few frames were devoted to their snacking routine.
Oh, and before I blow another gasket, there`s a story from the streets about another new cruise pier to be built north of the town square, directly on top of San Juan reef. If true, one can kiss Eagle Ray Pass adios. Like Coz needs more cruise pukes bumping up and down the crowded sidewalks like a school of guppies.
Tired of leasing their usual place, the Rock n` Java Cafe has moved to their own, newly redone place at the south end of the same building, next door to Dive Paradise shop. Same menu and crew.
In another thread sometime back, I commented about the new Carlos n` Charlies being closed up. Technically, I was wrong, it isn`t closed up - they just had temporary covers where a wall would be due to the strong winds at the time. Now that I`ve had a closer look during milder weather, it is as open as it`s ever been, and the spring break crowd has never been more noisy - or drunk. For those not accustomed to cheap American teeny bopper music or the stench of teeny bopper sidewalk puke, I strongly recommend maintaining one`s distance from this putrid adulteration of Cozumel, along with the rest of the Puta Langosta abortion.