Four on the fourth

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Eagle rays swim in the waters off Hawaii

I was swimming on the morning of July 4th when I saw these four Eagle Rays ahead. The three closer ones were clearly younger pups and had a good deal of curiosity about the big, clumsy creatures they’d encountered.

Eagle rays swim in the waters off Hawaii

They were quick to show how good they were at swimming, curving around in graceful arcs, diving and soaring effortlessly.

Eagle rays swim in the waters off Hawaii

Back and forth they went, swimming quite close at times. In the meantime, the fourth ray, which I think was probably the mother, hung around at a discreet distance, monitoring the situation. I imagined her thinking, ‘We’re never going to get anywhere if those three don’t get a move on.’

Eagle rays swim in the waters off Hawaii

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