Manta night

The divers await the manta in the dark. 

 The creature arrives. It flies by their torches like a plane, catching the plankton that gathers by the lights. 

Then it takes off. 

And does a few loops close to the surface before swimming away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JPsOp0HCs

A wet photoshoot

A beautiful being is quietly swimming in circles, swallowing mouthfuls of plankton.  The hordes of snorkelers frantically move their fins around in ecstasy trying to find the best angle for their picture. 

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I make my way past a huge floating Russian woman in a life vest and her Maldivian guide and manage to get closer to this magic, tranquil creature.

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For every slight movement of its fins I have to move my legs a hundred times faster. I won't give up. Am enjoying accompanying the creature during its lunch at Ari Atoll in the Maldives. 

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After a while, I get tired of snorkeling and go back to the boat to put on my scuba equipment. Finally I can relax swimming at the same level as the whale shark. Now it is easier to take a good shot.

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From below, the shape of the creature and the myriad snorkelers offer a funny and beautiful scene.

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The whale shark had enough of its plankton, and the photo-shoot for snorkelers and divers and starts to descend slowly into the depths. 

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I cannot follow its rhythm. I wave goodbye and see it disappear in the blue. Hasta la vista, friend. 

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