The Big Sting-ray The Baby
The designs in the sand floor

I am swimming randomly today,trying to map the floor with the landmarks of the bay. I follow a juvenile green turtle, larger than most I've seen and enjoy the freedom of flight it allows me. It takes me along and shows me how it feeds, how it swims and how it breathes. Just as I feel we need to depart, I spot a large gray sting-ray on the floor of the sea. It is not full grown, but large to me, about 4 feet across and 6 feet in length. The sand is clear of grass and corral, so I get a clear view. It raises it's "wings" and tamps the sand gently, the debris rises and it feeds. I stay there for awhile on this surface looking down so it will be accustomed to my presence, then I go under. I dip down into the water and stay close to it's face. It has rectangular eye slots that open and shut. It reminds me of the character in the movie "ET".

I feel I have been allowed enough to see, so I turn away, and as I do, I see a tiny Ray on the floor of the sand. It is as small as the palm of my hand.

It is about 5 PM and the sunlight is filtering through the waters. The sand on the bottom reminds me of the sand dunes in the desert, how the winds blow intricate designs, only to be gone again in an instance.