I was remiss in not answering many of your comments to the post “strange happenings at the beach…follow-up.” I just didn’t have anything to report. Now I do. The enigma of the beached creature is resolved. It turns out that a full-blown version of the beast washed up on our beach this morning. It is a Cownose Ray or skate.. http://www.elasmodiver.com/Atlantic%20Cownose%20Ray.htm.
The one I photographed earlier apparently had been caught by fishermen who promptly took off the “wings” and left the carcass to rot. There is much controversy about the use of these wings to produce “fake” scallops. Circles are punched in the wing to produce scallop-like food. The taste is apparently very similar. The FDA claims it has no proof that this is done, but I take that with a grain of salt.
Anyway, below you may view this magnificent creature:
The Cvillean 
When you look at the picture with the wings cut off, it’s hard not to believe that the practice of cutting them into fake scallops isn’t done. Why else would someone cut them off? The bay is full of skates. Don’t know why we don’t see more.
Quite a specimen was it not? Once during a cruise we took, we went swimming with the stingrays. Now that’s a real experience!
I think that’s just horrible! I love scallops but recently found out I’m allergic….so thankfully none of these magnificent creatures will be killed on my behalf. Honestly, I don’t understand the cruelty of man.
I don’t fish or hunt. Can’t bring myself to inflict pain (or death) on another animal no matter how ugly or threatening it might look.
Oh. 😉
I believe you have come up with the Guinness Book of Records shortest blog comment.
Well that is a surprise, I’m usually renowned for waffle! 😉
Is that the food waffle or the act of waffling?
I like one and do the other. 😉
Glad to know the rest of the story, though it makes me sad. And gives me reason to not order scallops next time.
I can sure see how people become vegetarians over things like this. However, technically vegetables and fruits are living things too, so how come they don’t get upset when a carrot gets peeled?
Easy to see what it is now you tell me. I enjoyed your reply to Lorna by the way. where is a good criminal when you want one. Oh yes, there he is, with your wallet ,walking off in the direction of the cocktail bar
Now you’ve made me think of that song from “Oliver” called “You’ve got to pick a pocket or two”. I’ll be humming it all day. Thanks.
I can’t hit like because that’s just sickening.
Thanks for telling us.
Sorry to ruin your day, Tilly Bud. You need to send out a joke so we can all laugh and forget about this.
Disgusting practice. Okay, that does it. NO more of those fake scallops at our house. Only those little real scalllops will do. They are small, but I can eat them with a clear conscience.
Not a problem for me. I’ve never liked scallops.
Um, those little scallops have to get dead so we can eat them, too. I just prefer not to think about it.
I don’t like sea creatures. Never have. Never will. They are slimy and have other qualities I like to avoid. But that’s just mean to any creature. Dismemberment of anything is just wrong.
My short-term memory being what it is (or isn’t), I forgot about this. Thanks (NOT!) for reminding me… ;(
I’m with you on this, Lorna. I never swim in the ocean…..just put my beach chair in the shallow surf far enough for my butt to get wet. If we were meant to be swimming in the ocean, we’d still have gills. It was ordained that we should evolve so we could walk around on land amongst the criminals and perverts.
how cruel to cut of their wings and leave them to die….some people are really nasty
At least this one died a natural death.
what a sad story. Sickening.
What concerns me most is that they probably don’t even wait until the ray is dead before cannibalizing it.
Thanks, Al, for revealing the name of the creature and clearing up the mystery.
I live to serve!