GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Mark Carwardine/ NPL / mediadrumworld.com

By Rebecca Drew

STUNNING action shots have revealed the moment a three-and-a-half-foot wide Munk’s mobula ray gracefully leapt from the water to seemingly fly through the air.

 

GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Mark Carwardine/ NPL / mediadrumworld.com

The spectacular images show the ray performing a series of acrobatics before appearing to hover above the water’s surface like a UFO.

 

GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Mark Carwardine/ NPL / mediadrumworld.com

The incredible photographs were taken by wildlife and conservation photographer Mark Carwardine at the Sea of Cortez, Gulf of California, Mexico.

 

GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Mark Carwardine/ NPL / mediadrumworld.com

The Munk’s mobula ray or devil ray can reach heights of more than six-feet when jumping from the water and can stay in the air for many seconds. The creatures are closely related to sharks but have flat and long bodies with wing-like pectoral fins.

 

GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO: Mark Carwardine/ NPL / mediadrumworld.com
The rays can also be found in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Ecuador and Guatemala, and near the Galapagos Islands.