Whoever said fish can’t fly haven’t seen mobula rays in action.

These marine animals, which are often referred to as devil rays, can soar through the air for up to a few seconds at a time before belly-flopping back to their watery home.

Why they do it, however, is a complete mystery. Scientists propose that it could be a mating ritual, a way to feed, or just a fun activity, but no one is certain, yet.

Octavio Aburto, an assistant professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, came upon a giant swarm of thousands of these flying devil fish near the gulf of California in 2011. Most of the mind-blowing photos you’ll see here were taken during that encounter by Aburto with the International League of Conservation Photographers.

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