In this incredible photograph by Michael Valos, we see a giant manta ray feeding in Hanifaru Bay, Maldives. I saw this on National Geographic’s Facebook page, which led me to the ‘Your Shot: Weekly Wrapper (August 2011, week 2)‘ on Nat Geo’s website.

See here for the large 1600×1200 wallpaper version.

The genus Manta contains two species of manta rays: the Reef Manta Ray (Manta alfredi) and the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray (Manta birostris), which are the largest species of the rays in the family Mobulidae, and the largest rays in the world. Oceanic mantas reach at least 7 metres (23 ft) in width and there are anecdotal reports of even larger specimens. Reef mantas reach about 5.5 metres (18 ft) in width. [Source: Wikipedia]