Big Skate

[dphershman]

I went to Three Tree last night (sept 1) to check out the bioluminescence. It was cool! Not quite the blue that's been described elsewhere, but still some of the best I've ever seen. (tried to photograph it but it was impossible)

Just as we were exiting the water we came across this rather smallish Big Skate, Raja binoculata. The first one I've seen in eight years. This fellow was in about 10 feet of water and was likely about a foot long. Not quite the max adult size of 8 feet, but still it was a fun find.

[nwscubamom]

Great shots! I love these guys. Haven't seen any in quite awhile so good to see one!
- Janna

[franroque]

Great find! Can these sting you like sting rays?

[Tidepool Geek]

Great find! Can these sting you like sting rays?

Nope!

The area of the skate's tail that corresponds to the sting area on a stingray is occupied by a bumpy longitudinal ridge (which is visible in the photos). Bigs, at least youngsters like the one pictured, do sometimes flail their tail around as if they wished that they had a sting but I can't imagine it being dangerous in any way.

Benignly yours,

Alex

[Dusty2]

Nice photos Dan, not only are they scarce for divers it twice as rare to find one when the viz is good enough to get good photos! those are the best I've seen

[LCF]

I saw one during my AOW class, seven years ago . . . I've never seen one since. Great photos!

[Tom Nic]

Fun fun find!

[dphershman]

Thanks everyone. It was a really cool find, just at the last few moments of a fun dive

[Octoloco]

Really nice shots ! Non divers just can't fathom all the cool things like these that are lurking under the Puget Sound!

[YellowEye]

Very cool.
I saw a big one out at Neah Bay a few years back. That was quite a sight!
Jesse also found and photo'd a skate recently. Let's hope to find more!