Bahamian Field Station & Other Places, San Salvador, Bahamas

• A Quicktime Slideshow(~4.7mb) of Miscellaneous beautiful sites on San Salvador Worth the wait (TME 00)
• What most people feel like when scheduling a flight on Bahamas Air! (TME 00)
• Bahamian Field Station Entrance
  • Students Hard at Work in the Research Labs (TME 97)
• The Runway Sign. The sign will change with the times soon. I will miss it.
• The Bahamian flag flies proudly in front of the field station. (TME 98)
• A view of the Field Station from Catto Key. ('97)
• Field Station: View From North Point
• Dinner Line(Relax and socialize before your meal)
• It becomes an art! How early should one get in the breakfast line? (TME 98)
  • The food has been really good!
• Incredible Sunset over San Salvador Bahamas (Taken from the Field Station)
  • Another Beautiful Sunset ('97)This Next One is Slightly Different!
• A Panoramic View of Grahams Harbor, San Salvador looking towards North Point. Here is a Quicktime STREAMING video of Grahams Harbor as seen from North Point! Or a regular Quicktime 4 mb video.
  • A View of Grahams Harbor from North Point near the Cut (TME 97)
• Grotto Beach,'97
  • Sea Oats and Grotto Beach Scene, '97 (Note one swimmer is upside down in the water!!) Here is a close-up view of a cluster of beautiful sea oats (TME 00)
• Sea Grape Leaves and Flowers (Coccoloba uvifera). North Point, San Salvador
  • Sea Grape Fruit, '97
• Loading the Truck and moving out after breakfast.
  • Pushing the Truck after a breakdown! (TME 97)
• Of course, the trip would not be complete without a visit to the Lighthouse, located at the highest elevation on the northeastern portion of the island. (TME 97)
  • "Home of the Lighthouse" Sign (TME 97) and again (TME 98)
  • The Lighthouse Interior Stairs (TME 97) and a wider view (TME 00)
  • The Lighthouse Glass Prism (TME 97) and again with a wider view (TME 00)
  • A View from the Lighthouse Balcony (TME 97)
  • The Lighthouse Up Close and Very Tall (TME 97)
  • The Lighthouse Operator Chair (TME 00)
  • The Lighthouse Kerosene Storage Tanks (TME 00)
  • A View from North Point that Encompasses the Sunken Ship and the LightHouse far to the South (TME 97) A view of the Lighthouse from Manhead Key(TME 00)
  • Looking East from the Lighthouse. (TME'97)
  • A few of the class of 2000 pose near the entrance to the lighthouse. (TME 00)
  • A fine group of Folks at the Lighthouse. (TME 99) And, the Class of 2000! (TME 00)
  • The Lighthouse Registration Book (TME 00) and the Sun Dial (TME 00)
  • Views to the North, the west (including inland lakes), the Field Station, and Storrs Lake. (TME 00)
  • Some excellent pictures of folks at the top of the lighthouse. Your instructor Hays points towards Storr's lake. Laura and Craig waive to Becky. (TME 00)
• Oh, horror of horrors! Students gaze at the one entity that will forever foretell change on San Salvador. Club Med is the metaphor for development and change on pristine San Sal. (TME '97)
  • Quicktime Movie! Perhaps the biggest change for San Salvador is the ~5000 foot elongation of the runway--it can now handle large jet planes. This may do as much to change San Salvador as the intial "discovery" of the New World. On 06/26/99, I witnessed a 737 land and take-off on the runway. That was a very sad day for me. (TME 99)
• Every so often, native Bahamians from Eleuthra fish the waters off of San Salvador.
• The students called this the "Trail of Tears." I'm not sure why because North Point is very beautiful. (TME 97) The Small White Objects above the Plants are Sulphur Butterflies. They were there by the hundreds one sunny day!
  • The intertidal zone at North Point is quite the place to work! (TME 98)
• This year we flew on Bahamas Air--Club Med's own commercial airline! It's always a "trip." Will they be on time? Will they take all of us? Will we get bumped for a Club Med guest? (TME '97)
• Looking east from North Point across Rice Bay to Manhead Key.The darker regions contain interesting patch reefs. (TME'97)
• The Steep Walls surounding San Sal offer some of the most spectacular diving in the world! (TME 98)
• And, who can forget the Large Gas Containers on the Rice Bay side of North point? The ship that was carrying the container sank during a hurricane. Each year, less and less of the wreck "remains." (TME'97)
• No visit to the island is complete without a Visit to the Doctor's office in Cockburntown.(TME'97)
• An important daily ritual: Washing Gear!
• One of the familiar islands (Catto Key) in Grahams Harbor.
• I know. This isn't San Salvador but I thought botanists might like this photo from Andros island. This "Blue Hole" filled in with sediment and became dominated by an amazing array of tropical vegetation. Pretty cool stuff! (TME'91)
• The basketball court had a game or two every night.(TME 98)
• The "Shortstop Bar" is the most popular watering hole! For those that don't want to take the long walk, the "Snack Bar" at the field station (Melissa and Crew!) does just fine! (TME 98)
• The French Bay Barrier reef as seen from the filed station truck. (TME 98).
• During the drought of '98, many of the interior lakes were beginning to evaporate! (TME 98)
• Quicktime Movie! The vegetation near Pigeon Creek and Snow Bay is dominated by palms. (TME 99)
• Don and Kathy Gerace seem to be thriving! Thanks for all your years of dedication and service. (TME 99)
• Quicktime Movie! A view of Grahams Harbor, North Point, Gaulin Key and the Field Station from Catto Key (TME 00)

Coral Reef Images

From an airplane, many of the Windward Bahamian Barrier Reefs look just like this regardless of the island. Note the classic high energy zone and the calmer lagoon between the barrier reef and coastline.

Acropora Gallery

• The AcroporaGallery (I'm obsessed by their beauty, so get used to it!). Sort of reminds me of a Sculpture! (Molasses Reef, Key Largo, TME 98)
  • Stop me! Amazing shapes and forms. I can't resist one more! (TME 98)
• A. palmata Debris Zone, French Bay
• Acropora cervocornis: The Staghorn Coral These specimens may be infected with the white band disease.
• More Acropora palmata (Close-Up of the Massive Structure of this barrier reef coral)
• A Remarkable Acropora Cluster (Gaulin Reef)
• Acropora & Millipora (Gaulin Reef is noted for it's healthy corals)
• Acropora palmata(Gaulin Reef-Splendid Specimen) More Acropora Extended Branches (TME '97) The fish is a Blue Tang (Acanthurus coerulatus).
  • A huge A. palmata at Gaulin Reef. (TME 98)
• Stunning Blue Chromis (Chromis cyanea)with A. palmata & cervicornis
• Much of any reef consists of biogenic carbonate rock. Acropora palmata is a very important contributor to the rock matrix of barrier reefs. Much of this Palmata is Dead yet the French Bay barrier reef is still very healthy. (TME 97)
• Here is a "Knobby" Elkhorn! (Molasses Reef, Key Largo, TME 98)
• Staghorn and elkhorn corals make for a spectacular shot at Gaulin Reef, San Salvador. Are some of these staghorn corals infected with the white-band disease? (TME 98)
• Yes! A solitary, but very healthy Acropora cervicornis at Snapshot reef on San Salvador! Here is a close-up of its polyps. Absolutely Beautiful!(TME 2001)
• A wonderful close-up of young, healthy "fronds" of Acropora palmata at the Grotto Barrier Reef on San Salvador. Note the new growth as dileneated by the "white tips." Here is the specimen in full view. Note the dead "fronds" on the lower left. (TME 01)
• This year we snorkeled at low tide (near a new moon). Acropora were dramatically exposed!(TME 01)

Beautiful Top Reef Images

• Top Reef The Grotto-A splendid (Acropora palmata and Millepora complanata)dominated reef
  • Another Beautiful Perspective of the Grotto Barrier Reef (Reef Shallows: Fire & staghorn corals)
• A series of excellent photographs of Bladed Fire Coral (Millepora complanata), staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), and mustard hill (Porites astreoides) together on the Grotto Barrier top reef on San Salvador. Here is another perspective.(TME 01)
• Lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) oftentimes have unique (easily confused with other "forms") beautiful growth patterns, Grotto Barrier Reef. (TME 01)
• Matt swims thorugh a "gauntlet" of Bladed Fire Coral at the Grotto Barrier Reef. (TME 01)
• A Top Reef Image from Grahams Harbor. Note the star coral, which is very common in the Bahamas, and common sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina).
• Another Beautiful Top Reef Image Note the Boulder Star Coral (Montastraea annularis), the Venus Sea Fans (Gorgonia flabellum),and unidentified gorgonians.
• Fire Coral Top Reef (The Grotto Barrier Reef) Fire corals (Millepora sp.)are not true corals. They belong to the Class Hydrozoa rather than the Class Anthozoa. They do make calcareous skeletons. Their polyp anatomy and skeletal structure are distinctive from true corals. I have included another small (with no calcareous skeleton) colonial hydroid for your viewing pleasure. (TME 98)
  • Lindsay Reef Fire Coral ('97)
  • Extensive Elkhorn and Crenulated Fire Coral (Millepora alcicornis) Gaulin Reef, Grahams Harbor, San Salvador. (TME 98)
    • A spectacular fire coral community Gaulin Reef, Grahams Harbor, San Salvador. (TME 98)
  • The Grotto, a classic fire coral haven! Note the Lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites)on the left. (TME 98)
  • Lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) are common on Telephone Pole reef on the leeward side of the island. (TME 01)

Other Corals

• A Remarkable Picture of the Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis)and the Great Star Coral (Montastraea cavernosa)at 80 feet on the spectacular wall on the edge of French Bay along the southern shore of San Sal (TME 97)
  • Same Shot, Slightly more Detail
  • An example from Snapshot Reef.(TME 01)
• A HUGE (M. cavernosa)along the Western Wall just south of Cockburntown near Bamboo Point (TME 97)
  • Another Perpsective of M. cavernosa and the Surrounding Environment (TME 97)
• Boulder coral are important frame builders in Caribbean reefs. Here, I show two views(Snapshot Reef, San Salvador) of Montastrea annularis-- a typical large intact head and a taller, more mushroom shaped variety. (TME 01)
• At the Grotto Barrier Reef, large Montastrea heads seemed to be in better health than in previous years. (TME 01)
• As one dives deeper, Corals Often Change Their Morphology. There is less light available. Can you ID these corals? (The Wall, French Bay, TME 97)
• This is an Unusual Brain Coral! Note the Platy Structure.
• The Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) and the Finger Coral, (Porites porites)are fairly common at Telephone Pole Reef, Fernandez Bay. (TME 98)
• A more recent photo of a typical Finger Coral, (Porites porites) patch at Telephone Pole Reef. (TME 01)
• Over the years, populations of (Dendrogyra cylindrus) seem to be on the upswing in San Salvador. Many of the polyps are in excellent shape. Some of the pillar coral colonies serve as an "open shelter" for many fish at Telephone Pole reef. Just look at this close-up. Can you ID these fish? (TME 2001)
• Amazing Blue Tangs (Acanthurus coerulatus)hang out around a huge Mountainous Star Coral head M. faveolata,Molasses Reef, Key Largo. (TME 98)
• Remarkable Finger Coral Colony and a school of Blue Chromis (Chromis cyanea)
• Evry now and then, we'd come across a type of brain coral called the "maze coral" (Meandrina meandrites) at Telephone Pole reef.(TME 2001)
• Brain Coral Head (French Bay)
  • The Same Picture, but Larger (102 K)
  • Boulder Brain Coral Upclose (Colpophyllia natans) Note the thin groove along the ridgetops
• Elliptical Star Coral (Dichocoenia stokesii)
• Beautiful Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindricus),Fernandez Bay, San Sal
• Star Coral with Blue Chromis(Chromis cyanea)
• Fire Coral (Millepora alcicornis)Close Up (Note sea urchin in background) Remember, fire corals are not true corals! Here are some other growth forms from Snapshot Reef in San Salvador. A close-up! (TME 2001)
• Many corals do most of their feeding at night. These Great Star Coral Polyps (Montastraea cavernosa)are fully extended during their nocturnal feeding.
• Lettuce Coral, French Reef, San Sal Agaricia agaricites
• Here is an Unusual Find: The Knobby Cactus Coral
• A close up of what initially looks like several pillar coral, but probably is an unusual community of Montastraea (French Bay Wall, TME 97)
• An absolutely wonderful brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis),Molasses Reef, Florida Keys. (TME 98)
  • This huge brain coral shows signs of damage, yet it makes a spectacular image with its A. palmata companion! (TME 98)
• Montastraea cavernosa and Diploria labyrinthiformisalong the wall at French Bay, San Salvador. Absolutely beautiful!

NEW! Recent Coral Photos

• A Creole Wrasse (Clepticus parrae) hides behind a Lettuce Coral (Agaricia lamarcki). An Arrow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) is also part of this night scene.
• A Whitestar Cardinal Fish (Apogon lachneri) cruises along the surface of a very large Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophylia natans) at about 60 feet at night.
• Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophylia natans) Close-ups at night. I'm always surprised by the massive size of the coral contrasted by the small polyp size!
• Here is a series of Boulder Brain Coral Colpophylia natans perspectives at night Some of the Boulder Brain Coral had a remarkable green coloration Here is a close-up of the valleys between the elevated ridges of Colpophylia natans. And, here is one more cholorophyl rich look at Colpophylia natans at night. WOW! During the day, the polyps are retracted Even so, the ridge patterns of the Boulder Brain Coral are mesmerizing.
• The coral on the right is the Knobby Cactus Coral (Mycetophylia aliciae). Who would have thought? A "cactus" at 60 feet.
• The Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) is one beautiful coral! Here, Meandrina meandrites, on the right, has its polyps fully extended for a night feeding (contrast the night perspective with the daytime perpsective. The Great Star Coral (Montastraea cavernosa) is on the left.
• At night, the Great Star Coral (Montastraea cavernosa) usually has its polyps fully extended to maximize feeding potential. This next photo shows a Great Star Coral that has some polyps extended while others aren't. During the day, the Great Star Coral frequently looks like this (polyps retracted).
• Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) is making a comeback in the southern Caribbean.
• Here is a beautiful coral mix at Mushroom Forest--species include Montastraea faveolata, Millipora alcicornis, Montastraea annularis, Siderastrea sp, among others!
• This coral field mix features the Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) in the middle, Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) on the left, and Boulder Star Coral (Montastraea annularis) on the upper right (among others).
• The Smooth Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiana) can be a conspicuous coral with it's large and beautiful polyps. Its polyps are generally extended at night for feeding.
• This coral mix features Eusmilia fastigiana in the middle, Porities porites, the Finger Coral on the lower right, and, in the upper right Madracis mirabilis, the Yellow Pencil Coral. Oftentimes, the Yellow Pencil Coral is found in extensive thickets. Montastraea sp. is on the left.
• Millipora complanata, while not a true coral, is an important component of Atlantic reef systems. Porites porites is found on the left, while Montastraea franksi is found in the upper right.
• A Finger Coral Colony Porites porites. Finger Coral oftentimes are important in the Pleisitocene fossil record.
• The Massive Starlet Coral Siderastrea siderea as seen close-up. Corallites are pitted.
• A Boulder Star Coral(Montastraea annularis) corallite close-up. Here, a Christmas Tree Worm is near the apex of a Boulder Star Coral
• More Great Star Coral(Montastraea cavernosa) coral head perspectives. Here is another Great Star Coral with scattered colonies of Smooth Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiana) beneath it. Note the huge retracted polyps (extended at night). A beautiful species!
• A Maze Coral(Meandrina meandrites), Branching Fire Coral (Millipora alcicornis) and Stove-Pipe Sponge (Aplysina archeri) together
• More Maze Coral(Meandrina meandrites) during the day. A coral field perspective featuring Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) and Lettuce Coral (Agaricia sp)
• These photos feature the Smooth Flower Coral(Eusmilia fastigiana) close-ups and one more time!
• Oftentimes corals grow in close proximity to one another. Here, A Smooth Flower Coral(Eusmilia fastigiana) and Maze Coral(Meandrina meandrites) duke-it-out for space.
• Speaking of "Coral Thickets," three species come to mind. The first is the Yellow Finger Coral (madracis mirabilis). It is frequently found in very impressive Yellow Finger Coral patches and mounds. The second species that forms extensive colonies is the Blade Fire Coral (Millipora complanata). I've seen this hydrozoan dominate certain reefs (here is a hi-resolution Millipora complanata field). The third is the Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) which is making a large comeback after a huge Atlantic dieoff.
• A cluster of Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus). A close-up of the extended polyps looks like this!
• At night, many corals are actively feeding with polyps fully extended such as this Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites). Here are some other examples of corals feeding at night: (Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites); Great Star Coral (Montastraea cavernosa); Knobby Cactus Coral (Mycetophyllia aliciae); Orange Cup Coral (Tubastraea coccinea), the only species, to date, introduced to the Western Atlantic from the Pacific;
• Check out this image of Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) on the right and Symmetrical Brain Coral (Diploria strigosa) on the center left. Oh! Did I mention the 2 meter long "green thingy"? A beautiful Green Moray (Gymnothorax funebris) pauses between these two coral heads on a night dive.
• A large Symmetrical Brain Coral (Diploria strigosa) and a Stove-Pipe Sponge (Aplysina archeri) Here, I moved a little closer to the Symmetrical Brain Coral (Diploria strigosa) and a Stove-Pipe Sponge (Aplysina archeri)--very nice!
• A hi-resolution photo of Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophylia natans) and Mountainous Star Coral(Montastraea faveolata). A Foureye Butterfly Fish (Chaetodon capistratus) is also present.
• A hi-resolution photo of a variety of important Caribbean Coral: Mountainous Star Coral(Montastraea faveolata) in the foreground, Boulder Star Coral(Montastraea annularis) just behind the Mountainous Star Coral, Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) in the upper left, Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) in the distant upper right, among several others!
• Colonies of Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis), Symmetrical Brain Coral (Diploria strigosa), and Elliptical Star Coral (Dichocoenia stokesi) are often found in the shallow rubble zone.
• A very nice hi-resolution image of typical coral species found between the shore and steep reef slope. Includes Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis), Symmetrical Brain Coral (Diploria strigosa), Mountainous Star Coral(Montastraea faveolata), Mustard Hill Coral(Porites astreoides), and perhaps some Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites).
• A beautiful coral view of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata), Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis), and Blade Fire Coral (Millipora complanata). And, for a bonus, there is a juvenile Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) in the photo's center.
• This hi-resolution photo focuses on a potpourri of organisms: a Mustard Hill Coral Colony Porites astreoides, Great Star Coral (Montastraea cavernosa), an unidentified sponge, Cleaning Gobies (Gobiosoma genie), and other creatures.
• Yellow Goat Fish (Mulloidichthys martinicus) hover above a very large Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophylia natans)
• A hi-resolution photo of Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata) and Yellow Pencil Coral (Madracis mirabilis). Here is a closeup of Mountainous Star Coral corallites
• A nice hi-resolution photo of Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) and Symmetrical Brain Coral (Diploria strigosa)

Soft and Horny Corals

The soft corals include such beautiful representatives as the Gorgonians. Gorgonians have eight tentacles that bear pinnate projections called pinnules. Stony corals have tentacles in multiples of six. Gorgonians lack a calcareous skeleton but do have calcareous spicules. They can be very colorful. Gorgonians include sea rods, sea whips, sea fans, and sea feather plumes. They are often attached to the substrate via a holdfast.

• Solitary (& Beautiful) Soft Coral Pose
• Another Stunning Soft Coral (Grahams Harbor)
• A remarkable Soft Coral Field. Note the Brain Coral (Gaulin Reef, Grahams Harbor, San Salvador)
• Sometimes a Solitary Soft Coral in the deep blue waters can take your breath away.
• Sometimes it's fun to dive to the bottom and look up at a Soft Coral Field!
• This Gorgonian, a Deepwater Sea Fan (Iciligorgia schrammi)is seen while looking up toward the surface along the wall--a beautiful specimen.
• Even when I'm in a hurry to reach the reef, I have to stop and admire the beauty of another Solitary Sea Plume? (Pseudopterogorgia sp.)and its Blue Chromis (Chromis cyanea)Family.
• Often times, Soft and Hard Coral Habitat is All in One.
  • Here is a Spectacular example of a Head-Soft Coral Blend. The Common Sea Fan (Gorgonia ventalina)is on top of the Boulder Star Coral (Montastraea annularis)(TME 98)
• This Soft Coral is at about 30 meters deep along the wall at Telephone Pole (TME 96)
• While the picture isn't great, I liked the sunlight filtering through this "coral bank." (TME 98)
• A spectacular view of the "San Salvador Wall" and some colonies of the Deepwater Sea Fan (Iciligorgia schrammi). (TME 98)

Giant Caribbean Sea Anemones (Condylactis gigantea)

• A Sea Anenome with Beautiful Tentacles Extended (TME 96)
• Another Beautiful Anemone with Fish Companions (TME '96)
• Quicktime Movie:An exciting Quicktime Movie of a San Salvador reef anemone. I know it's weird, but true! Here's a photo if you don't watch the movie! (TME 01)
• Sea Anenome Up Close!
• Another Anenome, Even Closer, Grahams Harbor
• Sometimes we find anemones right in the middle of seagrass beds (Thalassia testudinum)!
• This squirrel fish (Holcentrus adscensionis?)sought refuge near this beautiful anemone!

NEW! More Invertebrates

• A Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) dances just in front of me on this night dive. Eventually the squid decided to confront me! The squid soon charged my video camera housing! WOW!
• A Spanish Lobster (Scyllaride saequinoctialis) cruises on top of a Montastraea at about 60 feet.
• I found this Arrow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) feeding at night.
• A Spanish Lobster (Scyllarides aequinoctialis) tries to escape my gaze, but fails!
• The Stove Pipe Sponge (Aplysina archeri) is spectacularly beautiful sponge. These sponges belong to the Class Demospongiae.
• A Giant Anemeone (Condylactis gigantea) is flanked by Mountainous Star Coral (Montastraea faveolata). The Giant Anemone often has a variety of colors associated with its tentacles.
• One of my favorite creatures in the universe is the Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris). This octopus was found on a nightdive. He was about a meter long when fully extended!

  Here are some Hi-Resolution Photos of this amazing Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) complete with color changes:

  • Reddish-Brown as the octopus scampers along the sea floor
  • A fantastic view of the octopus head region
  • A full body shot of the octopus
  • Greenish-brown as the octopus rests against a Diploria head
  • An amazing "from above" photo. Octopus coloration approaches that of the surrounding coral

    QUICKTIME Movie-- A taste of Cephalopod Glory on a Caribbean Night Dive

• This Branching Tube Sponge (Pseudoceratina crassa) was huge, Mushroom Forest.
• This Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) await at their cleaning station beneath Boulder Brain Coral(Colpophylia natans).
• Beautiful Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) closeups of spiraled crowns of feathery radioles. Note the double horned operculum at the base of the radioles Wow! here are some more Christmas Tree Worm Images (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E).
• This Hidden Anemone (Lebrunia coralligens) is amazing. What an interesting life strategy.
• Long Spined Urchins (Diadema antillarum_day) seem to be making a comeback on the deeper portions of the reefs
• This Branching Vase Sponges (Callispongia vaginalis) often harbor numerous invertebrates within the interior tubes.
• This Stove-Pipe Sponges (Aplysina archeri) are beautiful reef community members. Here are some more Stove-Pipe sponge examples (B), (C), and (D)
• The Black and White Crinoid (Nemaster grandis) is my favorite Echinoderm. These specimens were found at about 100 feet often perched atop sponges. These filter feeders have claw-like holdfasts that get an impressive grip on their chosen substrate (in this instance a Brown Tube Sponge (Agelas conifera).

  QUICKTIME Movie--Black and White Crinoids on "open perches" fight off a very strong current!

  • An excellent photo of Black and White Crinoid (Nemaster grandis) on its sponge perch, a perfect spot! Here is another perspective, but closer.
  • Dr. Hays Cummins (top) and Dr. Mark Boardman "jockey for position" to video the Black and White Crinoid (Nemaster grandis). Bubbles everywhere, but, we got the photos and video done!
  • A hi-resolution closeup of Black and White Crinoid (Nemaster grandis)
• A Golden Crinoid (Davidaster rubiginosa) extends its feathery appendages among Madracis mirabilis, agaricia sp, and Porities astreoides.
  • More Golden Crinoid (Davidaster rubiginosa) Closeups--(B) and (C)
  • A green color variation of the Golden Crinoid (Davidaster rubiginosa).
  • Another hi-resolution of green color variant Golden Crinoid (Davidaster rubiginosa) nestled among a Yellow Finger Coral (Madracis mirabilis) colony. Very Nice!
• A Huge Netted Barrel Sponge (Verongula gigantea).
• A Huge Giant Barrel Sponge (Xestospongia muta).
• A beautiful Brown Tube Sponge (Agelas conifera). Note the Great Star Coral Montastraea cavernosa on the left.
• A beautiful unidentified sponge
• Check out this nightime photo of a Stove-Pipe Sponge (Aplysina archeri). What great purple colors!
• At night, many Brittle Stars are on patrol on this beautiful Branching Vase Sponge (Callispongia vaginalis).
• At night, Spiny Sea Urchins (Diadema antillarum) become very active.It's great to see them on the reef!
• A beautiful Star Encrusting Sponge (Halisarca sp.), Class Demospongiae.
• A hi-resolution image of a purple-tipped Giant Anemone (Condylactis gigantea) among Montastraea annularis. Here are two more hi-res images of Condylactis gigantea A and Condylactis gigantea B.
• A hi-resolution closeup of the Knobby Anemone (* lucida)

Other Invertebrates

• Hydrozoans are common Coelenterates but are often very difficult to see. Note the delicate nearly transparent hydrozoans in this reef setting Here is a close up of a beautiful colony of Christmas Tree Hydrozoans (Halocordyle disticha) (TME '97)
• Each year, I am excited to find crinoids (Phylum Echinodermata--Davidaster rubiginosa) at Snapshot Reef. This Paleozic group does well at this patch reef!
  • So, here are some photos of these remarkable organisms (actually, just their arms emerging from the crevices in the reef!). A, B, C, D, and finally E. (TME 01)
• Flamingo Tongues (Cyphoma gibbosum) are commonly found grazing sea fan polyps at Snapshot Reef (TME 01)
• Wow! Check out the mantle of this Flamingo Tongue (Cyphoma gibbosum) as it eats the polyps of this soft coral! Molasses Reef. Wow!(TME 01)

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• Sarah holding a large & beautiful Donkey Dung Sea Cucumber (Holothuria mexicana) in Grahams Grahams Harbor. I wonder if she saw any Pearl Fish?! Some More Donkey Dung Splendor! (TME 97)
• Patricia Holds a Fantastic Flame Helmet Shell (Cassis flammea).Helmets feed mostly on echinoderms that live in the sandy bottom. (Grahams Harbor, TME 97)
  • The instructor finds a Large, Live Trumpet Snail (Charonia variegata)in Snow Bay, San Salvador. (TME 97)
• Magnificent Banded Fanworm (Sabellastarte magnifica)
• A spectacular Bristle Worm, out in the open, Grahams Harbor Barrier Reef. (TME 01)
• Sea urchins are few and far between. But,.... every now and then, you get lucky! Note how it protects itself with spines pointed outward. (TME 01)
• A Banded Coral Cleaning Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)at Her Station
  • Sometimes, there are So Many Spotted Cleaning Shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus)that you get the feeling that they might come out and clean you!
    • Another Cleaning Shrimp Perspective-Ready for Action
  • A Banded Coral Cleaning Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)Amongst the Algae on the wall. Check out these Amazing Blue Algae! WOW!
  • One more Banded Coral Cleaning Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)
• Christmas Tree Polychaete Worms (Spirobranchus giganteus)in a Coral Head
• Some More Filter Feeding Annelids in a Coral Head (TME 96)
• A Huge Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria)in the sands of Rice Bay (TME 97)
• Sea Egg Urchins (Tripneustes ventricisus)are Making a Comeback in the Bahamas. While this is a grassbed species, the reefs could use a few more to help cut down on the algae problem! (Grahams Harbor, TME 97)

• Sponge at 100 feet
• A SCUBA diver Paying his Respects to a Large and Beautiful Sponge!
• A Huge Netted Barrel Sponge? (Verongula gigantea)seen snorkeling to the wall in Fernandez Bay!
• Another Netted Barrel Sponge? (Verongula gigantea) with a Fire Coral (Millipora alcicornis)in its huge central opening
• Starfish Tube Feet (Echinoderms utilize a water hydraulic system for locomotion)
• A beautiful Rough Fileclam (Lima scabra)(Dump Reef, night dive, Grahams Harbor) Here is a broader perspective!
• Another Rough Fileclam, night-dive, Molasses Reef, Key Largo. Extremely beautiful! (TME 01)
• Crinoid (Davidaster rubiginosa)& Longspine Squirrel Fish (Holcentrus rufus)!(The "Wall," 33 m)
  • Look at the subtle Arms of this Crinoid on the Wall!
• Giant Barrel Sponge (Xestospongia muta) at 100 feet(On the "Wall." For scale, note the diver. This is one big sponge! It's probably over a 100 years old.) Here is Another Perspective of the giant barrel sponge along the wall!
• Inshore Arrow Squid (Doryteuthis plei)(A school of squid Face-to-Face in Fernandez Bay, San Salvador) A second school, not as abundant.
• Quicktime Movies At Telephone Pole reef on San Salvador, we encountered three squid. I obtained some remarkable videos and photographs of them, the best I have ever done. (TME 2001)
  • Two Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) stand their ground, then I follow one as it swims off into the blue. Beautiful color changes! (TME 2001)
  • Here is a remarkable frontal movie view as two Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) move just out of reach. WOW! 32 mb file!(TME 2001)
  • Another slightly different perspective--smaller but just as beautiful! (TME 2001)
  • Another amazing Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) Quicktime Movie. Note the remarkable color changes! (TME 2001)
  • These aren't quicktimes, but rather they are remarkable Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) photos. Here is one remarkable squid closeup, followed by another squid closeup. Of course, I couldn't resist the classic squid defensive posture and just a regular relaxed frontal view! (TME 2001)
• Check out this beautiful Quicktime Movie of a group of Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea), Curacao, 2002!
• Queen Conch (Strombus gigas)(Rapidly becoming less common in Snow Bay, rare elsewhere/look for the eye!)
• Fecal Pellet Casting (From benthic infaunal worm (?)-Lots of fiber in this "puppy's" diet!)
• Bulb Tunicates (Clavelina sp.)& Acetabularia (Yellow organisms are tunicates alongside delicate white mermaid's wine glass algae)
• Another perspective on Tunicates. A tunicate is a Chordate, subphylum Urochordata! That's right, they are in the same phylum as Vertebrates. Juveniles are known as sea squirts and have many chordate characteristics which they lose as adults. One of my favorite quotes concerning tunicates:

• Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus)(Night dive in Grahams Harbor. It changed color from brown to blue)
  • Here he is when he was Brown.
• This beautiful Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus) was caught in the open at the Grotto, San Salvador. But before he hid from view, I got a fine picture of it. Check out it's eyes! (TME 98)
• Diana caught an octopus in Grahams Harbor. It's in her hands! Lucky she wasn't bitten! (TME 98)
• Sponge Community (Fernandez Bay)

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Mangroves

• An overview of the mouth of Pigeon Creek where many mangroves are found. You are looking north.
• Red Mangroves (Rhizophora mangle)at Pigeon Creek (Mangroves line the Pigeon Creek channel). Every now and then, you'll come across a Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)Flower.
• The Red Mangrove Fruit actually germinates while still attached to the plant. A head start for a harsh environment!
  • A Close-up of a Cluster of Red Mangrove Flowers
• Red Mangrove Snorkel from Hell, Everglades(Nothing quite like a mangrove snorkel!)
• Red Mangrove Roots (Rhizophora mangle),Silverside Fish & a Submerged Spider Web! Note the lenticels on the submerged red mangrove root.
• Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans)on Andros Island Note the linear arrays of pencil sized pneumatophores in the sediment. They are radiating outward from the mangrove in all directions. (Red Bay tidal flats, Andros Island)
• Intimate Look at Red Mangrove Root Community, Pigeon Creek (A productive nursery environment)
• View of Inland Lakes & Mangroves on San Sal (Much of the interior of the island consists of crescent shaped lakes ranging in salinity from fresh to hypersaline)
• Red Mangrove Channel Walk (Tidal creek lined with mangroves, Andros Island)
• The Green Feather Algae (Caleurpa sertularioides)is abundant in the mangroves in the Florida Keys. Allison's first snorkel was in the mangroves. (TME 98)
• Students study mangroves along the beautiful Mangrove Trail in John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo. An elevated boardwalk winds through the forest. Dense stands of red, black and white mangroves dominate the landscape. (TME 00)
  • Have you ever seen so many red mangrove fruits? Wow! Now I know they they call red mangroves RED! Check out this stem cross-section!(TME 00)
  • There is also a canoe trail! Before we got into the water to snorkel, it started to rain. (TME 00)
  • Halophytic Plants often have thick, waxy leaves to conserve water. Note this saltwort! (TME 00)
  • Note the Black Mangrove "pencil sized pneumatophores" emerging from the forest floor. (TME 00)
  • They say that black mangroves secrete salt via their leaves. Here's living proof! Check out these salt crystals all over the leaf surfaces! Wow! And, here are some black mangrove flowers. (TME 01)
  • Students rejoice after a "post-mangrove" Snorkel! (TME 00)
• In Everglades National Park, we spotted the largest red mangroves I have ever seen (~8 m tall!) Here, a close-up illustrates some of the red mangrove flowers.Wow! (TME 01)

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The Molluscs of Pigeon Creek

• The upper reaches of the SW arm of Pigeon Creek at high tide. Here is a picture of a