The fin of a Bat Ray (Myliobatis californica) at sunset.
Bat Rays are powerful swimmers and since this was a calm night, sometimes their strokes created wide-ranging ripples across the surface of the harbor:
Photographed from the Bodega Bay Post Office on 27 August 2021.
2 comments:
Hi Jackie - I've seen individuals underwater in that area & was told they've been seen gathering there. Have always wanted to see this - are you aware of any way to predict a gathering? Phase of the moon? Tidal?
Hi, Hollis!
Hmmm...I'm not totally sure. We were there on a falling tide (about 3 hours after high tide). One variable that might make it easier to see the rays is the wind -- that is, it's likely much easier when it's calm, making it easier to see the movement and fins at the surface. I don't know if there's a time of year that would be best, but perhaps someone else will comment?
:) Jackie
P.S. I've also seen rays by the Spud Point Marina breakwater:
https://bodegahead.blogspot.com/2012/05/bat-raybat-raybat-ray.html
And we often see them around eelgrass beds in Tomales Bay, and have noticed them in Drakes Estero, too.
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