The Marvels of Nature

I've always been just a little fascinated with rays. I love watching them "fly" along the floor of the ocean (seem while snorkeling). I mean who can not stand in absolute awe when coming face to face with a sight like this...

(Photo credit: Sandra Critelli)

My first up close encounter with one of these magnificent creatures came about 15 years ago in Ocean City MD. While shark fishing off of one of the piers, a young man hooked (and battled) a "small" manta ray. After about two hours of fighting it (and the tide) he landed the ray long enough to take a couple of pictures and then he released it and we watched it glide away with the tide.

Now you know why this story caught my eye this morning.

It took 90 minutes to land, 13 men to heave it out of the water... and weighed 55 stone when they finally got it to the scales.

So it's little wonder that when Ian Welch first hooked the record stingray, it almost pulled him into the river...

Eventually the group towed the ray to the bank, put it in a paddling pool, tagged it and took DNA, before releasing it.

The giant freshwater ray is listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

This one, 7ft long and wide, with a tail of 10ft, had its venomous barb wrapped in cloth on the bank.

Even better....she's pregnant!

After being weighed, measured and tagged, Mr. Welch and his crew released the giant ray back into the water where she will eventually give birth.

Here's to you Mr. Welch - you and your crew have helped expand our knowledge of this great big wonderful world.