Massive manta ray photobombs surfer at Florida beach The photo was ‘pure luck’ A manta ray photobombed a surfer at Satellite Beach on March 14, 2021. (Courtesy of Rusty Escandell)
SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. – A photographer accidentally snapped “one in a million” shot at Officers Club Beach in Florida over the weekend.
Rusty Escandell captured the incredible moment when a giant manta ray did a back flip behind a surfer who was riding a wave.
Escandell told WKMG that he was at the beach Sunday with his son, near Patrick Space Force Base, and didn’t even realize what happened.
“To be frank with you, I was actually focusing on the surfer. I was doing a burst, catching several frames, and it wasn’t until I got home and I was reviewing the pictures that I actually saw what was happening in the background,” Escandell said.
Escandell posted the photo to Facebook and received dozens of likes, shares and comments on his own profile and then got hundreds more when the Satellite Beach page shared the snapshot.
Click here to read more.
‘I was pretty amazed:’ Massive manta ray photobombs surfer at Florida beach Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
They crashed, but you own the car. Who's responsible? They crashed, but you own the car. Who's responsible? Fernandina Beach police seek information about ‘suspicious’ Beugnet Road fire Fernandina Beach police seek information about ‘suspicious’ Beugnet Road fire Traffic shift planned Saturday on Wells Road near Blanding Boulevard Traffic shift planned Saturday on Wells Road near Blanding Boulevard Bruce Hamilton, wife run in 5K to help raise money for Maui families affected by hurricane Bruce Hamilton, wife run in 5K to help raise money for Maui families affected by hurricane Florida approves expanded 2026 fall Atlantic red snapper season Florida approves expanded 2026 fall Atlantic red snapper season Jacksonville council restores nearly $5M affordable housing fund Jacksonville council restores nearly $5M affordable housing fund Jacksonville City Council approves 15 mph e-bike speed limit for sidewalks, shared paths Jacksonville City Council approves 15 mph e-bike speed limit for sidewalks, shared paths Deputy fatally shoots man who pulled out a gun during roadside encounter in Keystone Heights Deputy fatally shoots man who pulled out a gun during roadside encounter in Keystone Heights Jacksonville City Council set to vote on $2 billion budget amid Amendment 3 concerns Jacksonville City Council set to vote on $2 billion budget amid Amendment 3 concerns St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office offers three programs for families of loved ones who wander St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office offers three programs for families of loved ones who wander Dead fish wash up in Guana Preserve as environmentalists to call for action Dead fish wash up in Guana Preserve as environmentalists to call for action Judge’s recommendation strengthens effort to get teacher back in classroom, attorney says Judge’s recommendation strengthens effort to get teacher back in classroom, attorney says Luvbug has ideas for a fun Fall project and the weather looks perfect Luvbug has ideas for a fun Fall project and the weather looks perfect Developing area of low pressure off the coast Developing area of low pressure off the coast Orange Park Mall celebrates 51st anniversary with refreshed brand identity, new interior Orange Park Mall celebrates 51st anniversary with refreshed brand identity, new interior Judge recommends dismissing charges against Douglas Anderson teacher over Charlie Kirk post Judge recommends dismissing charges against Douglas Anderson teacher over Charlie Kirk post One dead, another injured after shooting in Jacksonville’s Hillcrest area: JSO One dead, another injured after shooting in Jacksonville’s Hillcrest area: JSO This year’s hurricane season is one for the record books This year’s hurricane season is one for the record books Oakleaf neighborhood on edge after shootout amid custody exchange leads to arrest, homes hit Oakleaf neighborhood on edge after shootout amid custody exchange leads to arrest, homes hit Clay County Sheriff's Office responds to reports of shots fired in Oakleaf Plantation Clay County Sheriff's Office responds to reports of shots fired in Oakleaf Plantation Previous video Next video