March 11th, 2008

For the past week the oceans around Palm Beach, Florida have been a little odd. Water temperatures promptly dropped overnight from an average of 73 degrees down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately, this temperature change did not appear to have a big affect on the marine life as it quickly returned back into the low 70’s a few days later with no apparent die off of marine life.

But the changes didn’t stop there. Water levels have also been the most extreme I have ever seen, especially the low tide. The turbidity of the water has varied a great amount as well, and much of this has been in specific areas. I watched as the horizontal visibility went from 50 feet to 5 ft in a very distinctive curtain of green water. Now this is normal during low tides near the inlet, but the reefs where I was diving are a couple of miles south (with a north current). Based of the abundance or lack of plankton in some areas I presume the Gulf Stream is releasing eddies along our shore that is bringing in these colder waters.

These nutrient-rich waters bring with it some very unique marine life. Just yesterday the Coast Guard was reporting Northern Right whales in the vicinity. Many other pelagic species have started to move into the area as well. How this all interconnects, if at all, is hard to say but it isn’t difficult to make certain assumptions.

While diving at my favorite muck dive site today, which is centralized near the inlets tidal zone and the Atlantic ocean, I watched as hundreds of jellies drifted past me. Large Moon Jellies and a soup of Hydrozoans, Ctenophores and Salps drifted inshore at the tides mercy. It is known that many of the ocean’s reef and offshore marine life take advantage of these ebb and flowing tides to reproduce. Allowing their larvae to reach the confines of the inshore nursery of mangroves where they can safely develop before once again riding these strong tidal currents back out to sea.

Along this tidal zone numerous predators quickly devoured the drifting plankton. Arrow crabs indulged themselves on tidbits of Moon Jellies. And even the smallest of fish were busy darting in and out of their protective homes to pick at any drifting plankton.

Diving the waters off Palm Beach, Florida are always extra exciting for me during this time. While it does get difficult to withstand the colder water, especially for this native Floridian, it is all worthwhile at the end. For nothing is more exciting that to jump in the ocean and marvel at the many unique marine life that make their way across our splendid ocean.

View an underwater video of today’s dive. Requires Quicktime player.

March 7th, 2008

Today’s dive was quite unique as most dives normally tend to be. While cruising around one of my favorite dive sites in search of some squid eggs I had seen a couple of days before, I came across a pair of very animated Seaweed Blennies (Parablennius marmoreus). These two little fish, no larger than my index finger, were poking in and out of their tiny burrow on the reef and spinning themselves all around.

Amused by their antics I stopped to photograph and video them and within a few seconds I could clearly see what they were all so animated about. Along the walls of their little burrow lay tiny purple eggs no larger than a millimeter in diameter. As the larger of the two Seaweed Blenny spun I caught a glimpse of her releasing her eggs followed by her shaking her body and fanning the area with her pectoral fin. Seconds later the smaller male arose from inside the den beside her.

So intrigued by their work they paid no heed to the underwater camera that hovered within inches of them. In fact, they allowed me to approach close enough to photograph and video the eggs. Some of the eggs appeared to be within different developmental stages of growth. Some had just recently been laid while others I could clearly make out the eyes of the tiny fish fry.

From my many years of diving and exploring our planet’s oceans I have come to learn that there is always something new to discover. No matter if you have been to the same place a hundred times there is always something new that you simply did not see. There is a whole other world evolving around us and no where is this more apparent than beneath the ocean’s waves. Stop and look around, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you might discover.

View a video of these mating Seaweed Blenny Requires Quicktime to play

September 10th, 2007

The natural world is a perilous place and no where is this more apparent than in the depths of our planet’s oceans. The denizens of the ocean are in a constant state of survival, an ever revolving circle of life and death. As an outsider to this mysterious world some of these battles happen unbeknownst to me. But there are instances when luck, preparation, and perseverance fall into place and I find myself in the midst of such a spectacular showcase.

Such an event took place today in the cobalt blue waters of the Gulf Stream. I sat on the dive boat awaiting the return of the divers who sixty feet below me enjoyed their own underwater adventure. When out in the distance a bright yellow object drifted passed us. Uncertain of what it could be Capt. Craig McCarter and I motored to it.

As we approached, we could see that under this discarded debris was a large school of fish darting frantically in all directions. I quickly shuffled to grab my mask, fins, and camera. Splashing into the water some distance from this bait ball I slowly approached it with camera rolling. Out of the blue water the school of bait fish slowly materialized.

The school of bait fish swarmed from side to side like a well orchestrated tango. When suddenly an explosion of energy erupted from all sides. Large predatory fish, Yellow Jacks and Ceros, attacked the bait ball from all directions. Amidst all the chaos the bait fish kept formation as best as they could. Doing so made the job of singling out a specific individual much harder for the predator.

At times the school of bait fish swam away from the floating debris and encircled me. I reckoned the bait fish figured a larger, albeit slower, predator as myself would provide them with some degree of protection. I had seen similar behavior with bait fish engulfing large Goliath Groupers to the point where these large leviathans could barely be seen in the crowd of bait fish. All the while different species of Jacks quickly shot through the bait with little regards for the Goliath Grouper.

As the bait ball circled me so did the predatory Jacks. Swimming past my face, only inches away, the Jacks had one objective on their mind – to appease their appetites, to play their role in the circle of life. To be a spectator to such an amazing event is breathtaking for within the story told lies the plight of every single living creature on this planet – both small and large.

Click here to view the bait ball video. Apple’s QuickTime player is required in order to view the video.

August 27th, 2007

"In order to see that which is not readily apparent, we must break old habits and learn to see anew." - Edward Abbey

I am often told I have the best job in the world. While many of those individuals aren’t around to see the joy of my job when there’s a clogged head (toilet) or experience a sixty degree cold water upwelling in the middle of summer (in a shorty!), for the most part they are right. Every single dive, even on the same reef day in and day out, offers a vast diversity of experiences. Some of the creatures can almost be guaranteed to be seen like the Hawksbill Turtles on the Corridor Wrecks (who are batting 1000 after almost 2 years). And then there’s the chance encounter of a rare creature like the Humpback Whale.

But by far my favorite part of diving is the opportunity to see the interactions between animals. Watching a school of bait fish engulf an enormous Goliath Grouper in order to avoid predation from the circling Blue Runners or following a large green Moray Eel along the reef as it nuclear hunts with numerous Groupers, observing behavior unfold before my eyes adds an extra unique flair to my already exciting job.

One unique encounter happened today on a drift dive across Breakers Reef in Palm Beach, FL. This beautiful reef system always has something new and unique to share with those who carefully observe its slight nuances. You can either drift dive this reef at a couple of knots and have a chance encounter with the many large turtles and large green Moray Eels that make this reef their home. But slow down your pace and some of the reef’s well kept secrets will reveal themselves. Some are far from obvious like the orange-colored, sponge-looking Frogfish. Others go unnoticed by the presence of a larger animal in the vicinity like the cleaning behavior of the tiny Neon Goby on the Moray Eel's body.

As of lately, one creature has been appearing on the reefs more than regularly. In fact, I could almost guarantee a sighting on our shallow reefs with the same reassurance as the Hawksbill Turtles on the Corridor Wrecks. This creature is Sepioteuthis sepioidea, the Caribbean Reef Squid. Finding them is far from easy, especially if you’re swimming along at a couple of knots. But move slowly, looking out just a few feet above the reef and these mysterious creatures will appear. Masters of camouflage they can instantaneously change the color of their skin using chromatophores and light reflecting cells (iridophores and leucophores). Unlike the slow hormone-induced color changes of the Chameleon, Caribbean Reef Squid control these color-changing cells neurally (using the nervous system). What this translates to is that they can change colors as quickly as they can think about it. From my perspective it is a light show unlike any I have ever seen. But more importantly to the squid they can blend very well with their surroundings when danger lurks.

It is hypothesized that Caribbean Reef Squids use their skin color-changing capability to communicate with each other and I can certainly agree. Watching a school of Caribbean Reef Squid interact leaves me believing they are playing a game of Simon Says. If one squid changes pale white and turns its body vertically all the other squids in the group will almost instantaneously do the same.

But this chance encounter with the Caribbean Reef Squids of Breakers Reef was to be different today. A group of divers just in front of me had just discovered two lonely squids near the bottom of the reef. Unfortunately, the diver’s lack of patience did not allow them the opportunity to see what was going on as they continued swimming along. These weren’t just two squids hovering near the reef. They were in fact doing a lot more.

The smaller of the two Caribbean Reef Squid flashed its body in shades of gray at a very fast frequency. As it did this it gave chase to the larger female reef squid. Carefully maneuvering below it, it extended two of its arms alongside the female's body. Quickly jerking its body upwards it inserted another tentacle into the female. In the blink of an eye I realized I was in the midst of a unique encounter – mating Caribbean Reef Squids. Numerous times the male advanced and appeared to successfully mate with the female Caribbean Reef Squid.

After a number of times the female slowly hovered closer and closer to the reef until suddenly half her body disappeared under the reef ledge for more than a few seconds before reappearing again. Over and over again this behavior took place. The male Caribbean Reef Squid would fertilize the female and she quickly returned to the same location she had previously deposited her three inch white egg capsules. I watched in fascination as the squid returned to the same exact spot even though many times she would swim a good ten to fifteen feet away. Visually I would guess she could barely, if at all, see the eggs she was attaching to the reef as they were hidden deep within the recesses of the reef, but without failing once she carefully maneuvers her body into the same crevice time and again.

With my air supply slowly dwindling I knew my time underwater was nearing its end. Quickly taking a peek at the beautiful batch of eggs that will hopefully incubate in approximately nine to eighteen days, I bid farewell to these amazing creatures. In the back of my mind hovered the sad thought that I would never see this mating pair of squids again for their short life span (~1.5 years) ends with reproduction.

Hopefully I will return to visit this little batch of cephalopod heaven every couple of days and present my viewers with the development of these amazing Caribbean Reef Squid eggs. In the mean time, I hope you will enjoy the Caribbean Reef Squid mating video and squid photos I have taken of this amazing encounter. The video requires Apple's Quicktime Player to view.

May 4th, 2007

“The universe is on Orion’s belt.”

These words from the movie ‘Men in Black’ has been a revolving answer with me for those individuals who have been intrigued by my “Mad Scientist” trends (as I am so-called by my friend, Jake Zeigler). As Frank, the Pug (dog), from Men in Black says, “You humans, when're you gonna learn that size doesn't matter? Just 'cause something's important, doesn't mean it's not very, very small.”

So while the rest of the divers are fascinated by the 14 foot Tiger shark swimming above them, I have my head buried in my camera’s viewfinder looking at something that could easily fit between the gaps of the Tiger shark’s tooth.

My interests in the miniature world has brought about numerous discoveries I would have undoubtedly missed had my focus been set on larger creatures. One place focuses my attention on small critters more than any other – the place I call the Marvelous Muck.

Walking along the sandy shore I come across a large shadow swirling in the shallows like a flock of Starlings. A school of Atlantic Silverside fish, numbering in the hundreds, move in unison to the pressures of predators nearby. This same scene had just recently replayed itself a few days earlier on the near shore reefs amidst the leviathan, Epinephelus itajara, the Goliath Grouper. To avoid predation by Blue Runners the Atlantic Silverside fish billowed synchronously around the Goliath Grouper like a silver cloak.

Once again I was the lucky observer of such a dazzling display. In just inches of water a handful of these Atlantic Silverside fish had made a fatal error. Lying motionless on the ebbing shore they were easy pickings for ecstatic shore birds and animated crabs.

I enter the water a few feet away from this spectacular scene and head in a south-easterly direction with the tidal current at my back. In only a fathom of water sunlight ripples its sinuous design on the alga-covered sea floor. My vision tunnels as I prepare my senses to detect the most miniscule of movement. I am hopeful to find something unique.

Moving but a couple dozen feet from the shore I can just barely glimpse such a delight. A pair of eyes contrasts upon the hazy horizon. Like a Prairie Dog guarding its colony, this creature prop up and down from its home – a small glass bottle.

As I approach closer this clever creature quickly takes to hiding in the recess of its glass home half buried in the sand. I do not let my lack of patience elude me of the possibilities of this spectacular encounter so I circle from a distance. Only a few minutes later its curiosity overwhelms it. Spying out of its glass home, once again, a tiny pair of stalked eyes reappear. Closer and closer I approach. Swaying ever so gently so as not to give him reason to believe I am threatening. Much to my surprise its intrepidness measures in valor to the planet’s king of the jungle.

In fact, by all accounts it can be said that this tiny creature before me is perhaps even mightier than the Lion. A not so distant cousin, Hapolochlaena lunulata, carries one of the most potent venoms in the world - a neurotoxin that can kill a man in seconds. 1,200 times more toxic than cyanide! There have been proven accounts of its larger cousin, O. dofleini, attacking and eating sharks. A master of disguise it can change its color and texture in less than one second. It has three hearts and can regenerate parts of its body if lost in battle. And like the great Harry Houdini it is an amazing escape artist – able to fit through a hole the size of its eye.

But even with such an impressive repertoire of skills one facet of this unique creature stands out the most. With mere inches separating our stares it is obvious to me that I, too, am being studied. Minutes pass and still our stare is locked in stalemate. Fascinated by its inquisitiveness I dare to make my next move.

Slowly reaching out my hand, my index finger straightens with but a two inch gap separating the end of my finger from its glass home. I lay motionless for a few seconds and then it happens. One of its arms reaches out from inside the glass bottle, stretching the gap between us, and grips ever so tightly onto my finger. In a state of bliss my body floods with endorphins. I’ve made alien contact! The alien is a two inch Common Octopus, Octopus vulgaris!

The Octopus grips my finger for a few seconds. Perhaps tasting me with the tiny suckers covering its arm. Or perhaps the encounter is more anthropomorphic; he is indeed shaking hands with me. Whatever the reason one thing is certain, I am touched. My interest in this highly cognitive creature grows ten fold with every second of our interaction. I feel as though we have built a bond unlike many I have had the opportunity to experience in our ocean world. Well, except with perhaps my dolphin friends.

Of course, a few minutes after our encounter human nature kicks in and I feel it my duty to reciprocate my well being to this tiny creature. Heading back in the direction I had entered the water I find my way back to the shore littered with the lifeless Atlantic Silverside fish. I grab one and make my way back to the Octopus’ glass home. Unafraid of me by now it stands proudly on its glass pedestal. I slowly reach out my hand once again, but this time I offer him the Atlantic Silverside fish. This tantamount-sized gift, at first, makes him cautious. Within a split second, as if catching the scent of some freshly baked cake, it pulls out three of its arms, curls it around the fish, and attempts to drag it into its lair.

Getting this two inch fish into a one inch diameter hole is challenging for but a brief second before it quickly figures out how to drag it inside. And along with my gift, my new Octopus friend disappears into the depth of his glass home.

As I swim away I think of the time and money we invest searching the heavens for intelligent life expecting it to be larger than life. But with every splendid encounter I experience in this undersea world I know its existence lives right here on Earth in nature’s little miracles.