On my first time down as a certified scuba diver, I marveled over an extraordinarily large manta ray with its twenty-five-foot-wide wings until it aimed for me head on, its broad mouth open. The sheer size was intimidating. Terrified that I’d be swallowed, I desperately tried to get away, but unable to run or hide, I pushed rudely on my husband for leverage as I kicked my fins wildly. I would later discover that manta rays are filter feeders whose mouths stay wide open catching plankton in the water. The curious animal turned and floated away, surely having a chuckle.
A retired nurse specialist in Oregon, Cathryn Vogeley travels to tropical water in winter for sun and diving. Her memoir, I Need to Tell You, was published in May. Find Cathryn at cathrynreadsandwrites.com, on Twitter @cvoge1 and on Instagram @clvclv.