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 |