Following up on last week’s giant manta ray encounter in Kona:

The above is a frame grab from a video shot on the night. (I’d probably have something better, but their DVD had some quality issues I’m hoping they’ll resolve.)

Obviously, there are perspective issues here. In reality, the ray’s mouth was only roughly the size of my shoulders.

Here’s roughly the view I was enjoying, if you’re curious:

Granted, giant mantas — hereafter redubbed "waterpudus" — seem to have more in common with alien spacecraft than small Chilean deer. But consider: their environment is threatened, they’re nearly defenseless, and they move with a lumbering beauty.

Close enough for me.

UPDATE: pure sloppiness in editing caused me to not link directly to the creators of these images, Dolphin Dreams Images.  Incidentally, they’ve been very cool about the DVD and are sending a replacement immediately, no questions asked.  Hurray!