March 7th, 2009

I recently had the wonderful privilege to meet two wonderful film makers, Howard and Michelle Hall, after watching their latest IMAX film — Under the Sea 3D. This spectacular IMAX 3D film showcases the life of numerous marine sea creatures throughout Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. In this film, Howard Hall and his team painstakingly capture the intricate lives of sea creatures such as the flamboyant cuttlefish, leafy sea dragons, great white sharks and a multitude of other marine life.

Using sophisticated rebreathers, Howard Hall and his team can spend countless hours underwater observing a single creature. But this is only after spending numerous hours scouting for the specific locations to film and the laborious work to logistically make it all possible. What they produce is the essence of what natural film making should always measure up to be; not some adrenaline-hyped production film (i.e. some of Discovery’s Shark Week), but a true testament of what the natural underwater world is like.

Howard Hall and his team have been able to capture some stunning animal behavior using, among other traits, a lot of patience. And it is this patience that I find myself constantly preaching to other divers with whom I have the pleasure of speaking with. Certainly racing down the reef has its positive points (i.e. a good cardiovascular workout), but if they practice a little patience, the underwater experiences can match what Howard and Michelle Hall bring to the big screen; behaviors that will take your breath away or make you laugh uncontrollably.

Recently, while diving at my favorite muck dive site, I practiced a little of this patience as I watched a pair of Spiny Flounders (Engyophrys senta) moving about in the sand. Finding these two inch Spiny Flounders is, in itself, a test of patience, for they are masters of camouflage; they match the look of sand down to the smallest pebble. In fact, scientific tests have shown flounders are capable of producing a matching geometric pattern when placed over a checkered board.

Observing them, I began to notice a distinctive behavior; the male, in his heighten state, would spin in place and his coloration would intensify. After numerous failed attempts with a number of females, one particular female finally took interest in this flamboyant flounder. Allowing him to approach, they faced each other momentarily. Suddenly they curled their bodies in an ‘s’ shape and appeared to be in deadlock; neither one ready to make the next move.

The female flounder began to swim up with the male quickly positioning himself directly below her. Nudging her from below, the male flounder fluttered his body excitingly as they spun a time or two. Further and further up into the water column they went. Neither camouflage or fear of predation was on their mind. Reaching the climactic point of their embrace the flounders quivered one last time as their eggs and milt mixed in the water column. Quickly they spiraled towards the sandy bottom and went their separate ways.

What I had just witnessed was the mating ritual of two Spiny Flounders. Had I not waited long enough, chances are I would have missed the whole show, for it lasted only a couple of seconds. And so goes many of the most interesting behaviors in the underwater natural world.

As I sat to have dinner with Howard and Michelle Hall we had the opportunity to speak a little about the different animal behaviors we have seen. With eyes glittering in excitement we spoke of them with the kind of enthusiasm only us fish nerds can have. Whether the creatures are leviathans or microscopic, observing the secret life of marine creatures is always full of surprises and laughs. All it takes is a little patience.

August 29th, 2008

My eye peered through the eye-piece of my underwater camera as I focused intently on the tiny creature before me. All my attention was set on capturing the perfect moment. When suddenly a strange feeling came over me. You know, the one where you feel like someone is watching. Without thinking, I quickly raised my head out from behind the camera not knowing what to expect.

Right in front of me began to appear a large ominous creature from the murky ocean depths. Its eyes were locked with mine. It took me little time to realize I was going to have a very close encounter. The question was... Was it friend or foe?

Okay, so maybe a Loggerhead sea turtle isn’t exactly on the top of the list of the world’s most dangerous animals. But anyone who has ever seen a Loggerhead turtle crush to pieces a conch shell with its powerful jaws quickly develops a degree of respect for these leviathans.

The first thought that went through my head as it approached closer was, “Geez... I hope it doesn’t think my shiny underwater camera is some rare and delectable conch shell.” But certainly, if anything was going to get bitten it would be my camera before me. Or perhaps I would let it get me instead — the scar would, at the least, make for a great bar story. Of course, the turtle’s size and demeanor would be exaggerated exponentially every time I would tell it.

Thankfully, my training as a professional shark handler kicked into gear... I swam in the opposite direction as quickly as I could! Still the Loggerhead turtle continued in my direction. Inch by inch it approached again. This time I stood my ground water.

The beautiful little Loggerhead turtle began to circle around me. She seemed keened on getting to know me (must be my animal attraction!). Around and around she went. The urge was too much for me — I reached out and gave her a light scratch on the shell.

Under most circumstances the dive guide in me would have been frowning upon such interactions. I look upon such encounters as if a complete stranger suddenly came up to me and began to touch me. That would be just a little too weird for me. And in most instances, sea turtles are quick to leave should such an encounter occur.

But considering this friendly Loggerhead’s interest in me, I dared to be so bold. Much to my surprise she appeared to enjoy the light scratching of her carapace - the Swedish sea turtle massage. She continued to circle around me appearing to want more. Putting my camera down in the sand, I indulged her with great joy. We looked like two Spanish dancers as we tangoed together across the top of the reef.

Fifteen minutes had passed and she would not leave. Finally she found a patch of sand and settled in. Tucking her fins under her, she continued to indulge in her odd-looking but extremely talented masseur. The whole time I was as giddy as can be to have such a unique encounter. Her shell was so shiny by now she would certainly get the part for the Turtle Wax commercial.

Many times I have seen sea turtles partake of themselves of a good shell scratching on the edge of the reef as easily as humans do with the corner of a wall. But something dawned on me — there’s always that one little spot you can never reach. Reaching right behind the Loggerhead turtle’s neck, I began to scratch her shell ever so lightly. Like a dog being scratched behind the ear or the leg, I watched in joy as this sweet little Loggerhead turtle fluttered her eyes in delight.

About one minute into the sensual, behind the neck massage, I could see her eyes getting heavy. Within a few minutes I watched this lovely little Loggerhead turtle close her eyes and fall into a deep and pleasant sleep. Careful not to wake her, I quietly tip-toed fin-toed myself away wishing her joyful dreams.

Five minutes later, as I continued drifting down the reef, a small Hawksbill sea turtle headed straight for me. Once again, the underwater masseur was giving a turtle massage to another satisfied client. Word sure travels fast underwater (4 times faster than air: 3,400 miles per hour to be exact)!

Many folks frown upon such close encounters, whether with turtles, dolphins, manatees, or countless other wild animals. And while I’m quick to somewhat agree, I believe if the encounters are done in a respectful, educated, and non-threatening way - allowing the animal to feel comfortable with your presence — few moments in this world are as rewarding. Nothing can instill a more passionate love for animal life than such personal close encounters. These moments are the one’s that help reinforce the importance of our stewardship towards the planet.

View a Quicktime movie of the encounter

August 16th, 2008

I recently found myself hovering in one spot no larger than five feet by five feet for over two and a half hours the other day in my unyielding desire to discover something new beneath the ocean waves. A good friend of mine had discovered and photographed one (of many) ocean Holy Grails a few days earlier and I was determined to find it.

Imagine yourself for a moment in the laboratory of the great Dr. Octopod Frankenstein. Before you on a test bed surrounded by Tesla coils and test tubes lies the abomination of the natural world. Something beyond the reaches of science. The Centaur of the ocean world! Better known among the fish nerd community by its latin name Acentranura dendritica (the Pipehorse) - part seahorse, part pipefish. A creature no bigger than your pinky toe.

So to make a long story short... I never did find the little guy. C'est la vie! The quest for the real Holy Grail wasn’t a success on the first try so why should I have expected any better. Now what I did find was just as intriguing. Sitting in one spot for that many hours is no less entertaining than people watching at Washington Ave in South Beach (Florida). All sorts of zany creatures come out of the grasswork!

Not far from where I hovered was the making of the next great epic. Discovery’s Shark Week had nothing on this. The BBC folks (makers of The Blue Planet) would have had their high definition cameras rolling and ultralights flying overhead. It was Starfish Week at the Blue Heron bridge!

A crafty and fast, by starfish standards, Beaded Sea Star (Astropecten articulatus) was on the hunt and just within reach of its arm (one of five) was a homely little mollusc by the name of Mr. Florida Prickly Cockle (Trachycardium egmontianum). Now this little mollusc didn’t look like much. In fact, it was nothing more than two hard shells held together by what look like a little spit and glue. But this determined Beaded Sea Star had heard of the mollusc’s aphrodisiaciatic effects.

It was determined to make a meal of Mr. Florida Prickly Cockle. So with blinding speed, by starfish standards, it approached Mr. Florida Prickly Cockle. And much to the Sea Star’s surprise and my own, Mr. Florida Prickly Cockle had a little something under the hood. Without warning Mr. Florida Prickly Cockle catapulted no less than a FOOT (pun intended) away. Using what is called a “foot” in the mollusc world it was able to defy death. Shortly after, the Beaded Sea Star was hot on its (smelly) trail again. Again and again the Sea Star had Mr. Cockle in its arms and just as quickly Mr. Cockle was catapulting again.

Alas, lying defeated the Beaded Sea Star sank beneath the sandy muck while Mr. Florida Prickly Cockle, having received a 9.7 (no thanks to the French judges) in the pole vault event in the Mollusc Olympics stood basking in all his glory.

While my quest for the Holy (Ocean) Grail was an utter failure, I learned some important lessons that day. For one thing, never underestimate those homely looking mollusc for they are one of the ocean’s smartest and most ingenious creatures. And two, take the opportunity some time to spend hours on end looking at one tiny spot of the ocean floor. It is amazing the things that will develop before your eyes... And who knows? You just might find the ocean’s Holy Grail in the process.

July 24th, 2008

For me the most exciting aspect of diving, even after 14 years, is the fact that each new dive offers the opportunity of some new discovery. If not to science at least to me. So was the case during today’s dive at the local watering hole - the Marvelous Muck dive.

While gliding along the sandy bottom looking for all sorts of oddities I came across what at first looked like the giant ‘footprint’ of some ray. These footprints are usually left behind in the fine sand where a ray had settled in the sand at some point during the day. It took a few seconds of me looking at this sandy footprint, albeit confused by its odd diamond-like shape, to realize this questionable marine creature was right before my eyes.

Were it not for the outer edge embossing of the sand this ray’s spectacular camouflage would have fooled me. I knew I had never seen this triangular-shaped ray before and luckily enough it allowed me time to take some underwater photographs and videos to later verify it as Gymnura micrura - the Smooth Butterfly Ray.

Perhaps what most intrigued me about this Smooth Butterfly Ray, aside from it being a first time discovery for me, was watching it glide effortlessly less than an inch above the ground. Without as much as lifting its wings to propel itself it continued to glide while I clumsily kicked as hard as I could to keep up with it. Its design bore a striking resemblance to a Stealth Fighter plane. Watching this Smooth Butterfly ray soar so perfectly made perfect sense why man would copy nature’s design so closely.

See a video of the Smooth Butterfly Ray (Gymnura micrura) here.

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.