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A diver extracts an elkhorn coral sample. (Photo by Tim Grollimund)
In Norway there is a massive vault that contains millions of seeds. The goal is to gather duplicate samples from seed banks of contributing nations. This is the world’s seed safety net.
Posted - Thursday, October 25, 2012 05:18 PM EDT
A porkfish with a divot. Possible speargun injury? (Photo by Tim Grollimund)
One of the things I have done since I’ve been here is photograph animals that have been injured. It’s a morbid curiosity, I guess. It cuts me to the quick when I see an injured animal on the reef. It cuts even deeper when I see wounds caused by fishing or spearing.
Posted - Thursday, October 11, 2012 06:27 PM EDT
Green Moray eels are easily approached during the day. (photo by Tim Grollimund)
On any dive, at any time, progressing along the reef can come to a halt quickly. I’m not talking about accidents or incidents, but animal sightings.
Posted - Monday, October 01, 2012 01:58 PM EDT
Amateur underwater archaeologists with the National Association of Black Scuba Divers chart a shipwreck at the Elbow Reef Tuesday as part of a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary effort to positively identify it.
A moray eel and Goliath grouper swam amid a team of volunteer divers charting shipwreck remains Tuesday near the Elbow reef off Key Largo.
"On a regular dive trip, that would be the highlight," Paul Washington, a master scuba instructor, said. "We were going, 'Get out of the way so we can get back to work!'"
Posted - Saturday, September 22, 2012 06:00 AM EDT
Lionfish are beautiful to look at but they're ravenous and will eat virtually anything at the reef -- while having no known predators.
For the first time since lionfish were spotted in the Florida Keys in 2009, scientists have determined how many there are and how quickly the invasive species is taking over -- and the numbers are staggering.
Posted - Saturday, September 15, 2012 10:40 AM EDT
Several hogfish, including a spanish hogfish, forage for food with a stingray. (Photos by Tim Grollimund)
Earlier this summer I was approached by a spearfishing equipment company to provide images for an educational publication.
Posted - Thursday, September 13, 2012 06:03 PM EDT
Glass minnows fill the Minnow Cave near North Dry Rocks. (Photo by Tim Grollimund)
I have to admit, this summer has been a little different for conditions in the Keys. Seems to me the visibility is day to day more so than I’ve experienced in previous summers.
Posted - Thursday, August 30, 2012 05:28 PM EDT
Orange cup coral is beautiful, but studies are show it produces chemicals that give it an advantage and enhance its invasive nature. (Photo by Tim Grollimund)
One of the most significant memories from my early diving excursions was the night dive on the Town Pier in Boniare. Yes, that was a long time ago. The orange cup coral in full bloom blew me away. It still does when I see it on the wrecks or Aquarius Reef Base.
Posted - Thursday, August 16, 2012 05:27 PM EDT
A state researcher comes across pillar coral during the annual coral spawn on Aug. 4 off Key Largo. This year was different though: They found both male and female pillar coral spawning together -- something never seen, and which confirms female pillar coral are on our reef tract.
On an Aug. 4 night dive near Key Largo, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission researchers saw something previously unseen in the state: Male and female pillar coral spawning together.
The divers, in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary waters, witnessed male pillar coral colonies release sperm, followed a few minutes later by female colonies releasing eggs. It marked the first officially documented occurrence of such behavior in Florida.
Posted - Friday, August 10, 2012 04:31 PM EDT
A trumpetfish blends with the background. (Photo by Tim Grollimund)
When you are on the reef, do you ever feel like the entire range of your vision is a well-orchestrated, finely tuned symphony of behaviors splashed with vibrant color that flows endlessly around the planet? I do. So snicker at me if you’d like, I’m okay with that.
Posted - Friday, August 03, 2012 11:36 AM EDT
