Tropical Seas

Rainbow Reef

This is what a healthy coral reef looks like. A very high percentage of coral cover, a variety of invertebrates, and a water column full of fish. I swam around in complete amazement at the vibrant colors and sheer biodiversity here. Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Life in the Lava Tube

A White-tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) patrols the mouth of a lava tube, which is an underwater cave formed by volcanic lava rock. I was thrilled to be able to position myself to capture the perfectly framed Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the background of this image. Maui, Hawai'i

Striped Bumblebee Shrimp

Gnathophyllum americanum Riviera Beach, Florida

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas Kohala Coast, The Big Island, Hawai'i

Soft Coral at "The Ledge"

Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Fire Dartfish

Nemateleotris magnifica Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris A common octopus "walks" across the sea floor while hold up several arms in a comical, "boxer-like" defensive position. Riviera Beach, Florida

Orange-spotted Pipefish

Corythoichthys ocellatus One of the more charismatic fishes on the reef, this little pipefish paused just long enough for me to compose this portrait. Malolo Islands, Fiji

Living Reef

A branching Acropora species of coral provides refuge for a variety of small fish and invertebrates. Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Scalefin Anthias

Pseudanthias squamipinnis Can you think of a more spectacularly colored fish than this male anthias? Simply stunning. Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Lined Seahorse

Hippocampus erectus Normally difficult to spot because of their excellent camouflage, this small seahorse stood out against a uniform sandy bottom, clinging to the only structure around. Riviera Beach, Florida

Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins

Stenella longirostris longirostris The Big Island, Hawai'i

Common Lionfish

Pterois volitans Somosomo Strait, Fiji

The Great White Wall

Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Bluethroat Pikeblenny

Chaenopsis ocellata Riviera Beach, Florida

Giant Manta Ray

Manta birostris The Hawaiian Islands, especially the Big Island, offer some of the most reliable Manta encounters in the world. These giant rays frequently measure 10-14ft from wingtip to wingtip, though the true giants might have wingspans of 18ft. Like whale sharks, manta rays are filter feeders that eat plankton and small fish. To watch these rays appear from the blue water and visit a cleaning staion on a reef is to observe one of the most graceful creatures in the sea. Molokini, Maui, Hawai'i

Sailfin Blenny

Emblemaria pandionis Riviera Beach, Florida

Coral Grouper

Cephalopholis miniata Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins

Stenella longirostris longirostris The Big Island, Hawai'i

Longnose Filefish

Oxymonacanthus longirostris Schools of these pretty filefish can be found seeking refuge in the branches of Acropora corals (seen in the background of this picture). Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris Riviera Beach, Florida

Anthias swarm on Rainbow Reef

Scalefin Anthias swarm atop the reef crest. Somosomo Strait, Fiji

Indian Toby

Canthigaster solandri A tiny but striking species of pufferfish. Somosomo Strait, Fiji