It was a sight that left a seasoned reef guide shocked; a hundred rare cownose rays dancing in the waters off the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Lady Elliot Island Master Reef Guide Jacinta Shackleton was snorkelling off the tiny coral cay earlier this month when she spotted the large "fever" of rays.
The sighting was rare as the animals don't often venture into Australian waters.
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Ms Shackleton said it made for one incredible encounter.
"It looked like they were dancing in sync across the reef," Ms Shackleton said, estimating that there were 80 - 110 of the animals.
"I've been conducting research on the reef off Lady Elliot Island for three years and I've never seen a cownose ray before."
The cownose ray gets its name because of the unique shape of its head, which looks like a cow's nose from above.
Because they are rarely seen on the Great Barrier Reef, and in Australian waters in general, researchers say they don't know much about the creatures.
They hope more sightings like Ms Shackleton's can help them learn more about the species.
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