23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
The Courtship Vortex

In late spring, the waters around Baja California Sur are teeming with mobulas. Known as “fevers”, these groups of rays are often gathered by the thousands. Feeding vortexes can be seen semi-regularly, but it’s much more rare to witness a mating vortex. On this day, endless rays glided in circles from ocean floor to surface, swooping in and out of the vortex as they paired off. The ultimate form of speed dating.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2025
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: Mexico
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Copyright: © Brittany Ilardi