The Keys of Florida

The Florida Keys archipelago is surrounded by the 2,900-square-nautical-mile Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Designated as a protected area in 1990, it is home to some of the most endangered marine life on Earth and encompasses the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.

Philips Quarry

Philips Outdoor Center is a non-profit dive facility and nature center with an emphasis on environmental education, safety education, and recreation. Philips offers many low cost educational opportunities for local school children and college students as well as the general public.

 
 
 
Spotted this green moray eel, squeezed in to the crevice of the Hannah Mbell wreck. #eel #morayeel #green #scubadiving #life #preditor #nikon #underwatervideography
These barrel sponge were huge, almost three feet long 😳. #godscreation #scuba #color #marinelife #ocean #reef #coralreef #florida #softcoral #hardcoral #islandmorada #nikonz7ii #ikelite #underwaterphotography #calloway_underwater_world #ikelite
These barrel sponge were huge, almost three feet long 😳. #godscreation #scuba #color #marinelife #ocean #reef #coralreef #florida #softcoral #hardcoral #islandmorada #nikonz7ii #ikelite #underwaterphotography #calloway_underwater_world #ikelite
Elkhorn Coral like most shallow-water corals, elkhorn corals have symbiotic algae living within their cells, providing the corals with excess energy that they make via photosynthesis (the use of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into food/energy).&n
Elkhorn Coral like most shallow-water corals, elkhorn corals have symbiotic algae living within their cells, providing the corals with excess energy that they make via photosynthesis (the use of sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into food/energy). Nearly all species of shallow water corals and several other groups of reef invertebrates have symbiotic relationships with these algae, so it is important that they live in clear, shallow water. Like all stony corals, the elkhorn coral builds a skeleton of calcium carbonate a compound that will become increasingly more rare as the ocean acidifies a phenomenon caused by the ocean’s absorption of acidic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. #elkhorn #elkhorncorals #coral #ocean #pdskid #life #reef #color #scubadiving #photooftheday #underwaterphotography
It’s been two years since I have had the pleasure of diving in the Florida Keys. I was more than shocked at the degradation of the reef system in Key Largo. There are still corals worth capturing and schools of fish to find. #coralreef #vaseco
It’s been two years since I have had the pleasure of diving in the Florida Keys. I was more than shocked at the degradation of the reef system in Key Largo. There are still corals worth capturing and schools of fish to find. #coralreef #vasecoral #color #reef #pbskids #underwaterphotography #education #calloway_underwater_world #color #scubadiving #underwaterphotography #ocean #keylargo #bigpinekey
The colors below the surface will amaze you. Who wants to go diving???? DM me 😍#coralife #life #scuba #scubadiving #coralreef #vasecoral #color #reef #underwaterphotography #calloway_underwater_world
The colors below the surface will amaze you. Who wants to go diving???? DM me 😍#coralife #life #scuba #scubadiving #coralreef #vasecoral #color #reef #underwaterphotography #calloway_underwater_world
Diving on anchor ridge don’t forget to look in the cracks. Their is always something to see on a macro level. #coralreef #coral #reef #photooftheday #scuba #scubadiving #nikon #shallowreef #ocean #keylargo #islandmorada #color #life #dnr #seaa
Diving on anchor ridge don’t forget to look in the cracks. Their is always something to see on a macro level. #coralreef #coral #reef #photooftheday #scuba #scubadiving #nikon #shallowreef #ocean #keylargo #islandmorada #color #life #dnr #seaanemone #filter
Unfortunately, coral reefs face numerous threats to their continued survival. Destructive fishing practices, pollution, and invasive species threaten local coral reefs in populated areas.  Ocean acidification threaten all coral reefs around
Unfortunately, coral reefs face numerous threats to their continued survival. Destructive fishing practices, pollution, and invasive species threaten local coral reefs in populated areas.  Ocean acidification threaten all coral reefs around the world. Without careful management of human activities and an active reversal of global threats, entire coral reefs may be lost. That loss would risk the million species and hundreds of millions of people that rely on coral reefs’ existence for their survival. #coralreef #coral #reef #photooftheday #scuba #scubadiving #nikon #shallowreef #ocean #keylargo #islandmorada #color #life #dnr
The spotted porcupinefish, like all porcupinefishes, has very strong jaws and beak-like teeth. All the teeth in the upper jaw are fused into a single plate, and all the teeth in the lower jaw are fused into a single plate. In fact, the fami
The spotted porcupinefish, like all porcupinefishes, has very strong jaws and beak-like teeth. All the teeth in the upper jaw are fused into a single plate, and all the teeth in the lower jaw are fused into a single plate. In fact, the family name for porcupinefishes (Diodontidae) means “two teeth,” reflecting the single tooth plate that these fishes have on each jaw. Spotted porcupinefishes are foraging predators, and don’t eat other fishes. Instead, their specialized jaws and teeth are perfect for feeding on hard-shelled or spiny invertebrates, like urchins, snails, and crabs. #spottedporcupinefish #fish #ocean #coral #reef #nikon #nikonz7ii #ikelite #keylargo #scubadiving #scuba #calloway_underwater_world #dnr
When diving wrecks I am captivated by the abundance or coral growth. That encrusts itself to every visible piece of this super structure. Thanks @bananabanks1 for modeling this wreck. #shipwreck #spiegelwreck #spiegel #scuba #scubadiving #underphoto
When diving wrecks I am captivated by the abundance or coral growth. That encrusts itself to every visible piece of this super structure. Thanks @bananabanks1 for modeling this wreck. #shipwreck #spiegelwreck #spiegel #scuba #scubadiving #underphotography #underwaterphotographycontest #underwater #ikelite #nikon #nikonz7ii #calloway_underwater_world #sei #scubaeducatorsinternational #florida #keys #keylargo #islandmorada #natgeowild
When scuba diving in the Florida Keys and exploring your options for wreck dives at local dive shops in the Key largo area you will quickly stumble upon the name “Spiegel” – short for Spiegel Grove. Treasured by the local dive commu
When scuba diving in the Florida Keys and exploring your options for wreck dives at local dive shops in the Key largo area you will quickly stumble upon the name “Spiegel” – short for Spiegel Grove. Treasured by the local dive community the Spiegel Grove truly has risen to become our “flagship” dive here in the Upper Keys! Diving the Spiegel Grove when in Key Largo has almost if not fully become a “must-do” among wreck dive enthusiasts and recreational divers alike. Technical and rebreather divers appreciate the wreck for its vastness and opportunities for exploration. The Spiegel really is quite something. The ship measures an impressive 510 feet (160 m) in length and 84 feet (26 m) across at its widest point. Today it lies at close to 140 feet at its deepest point on the ocean ground while the superstructures reach up to about 60 feet of depth. When descending on your dive to the Spiegel Grove it is quite a breathtaking moment when it all of sudden makes its appearance as a massive dark structure underneath! Long story short, she is mighty! #spiegelwreck #spiegelgrovekeylargo #keylargo #scubadiving #scuba #nikon #nikonz7ii #coral #marinelife #usa #fish #shipwreck #ocean #atlantic #world_of_travels
Moray eels hunt for fish in small crevices along coral reefs and shorelines. If the fish appears too large to consume whole, the eel can wrap itself around the fish in a knot to disable it and then consumes it after tearing it into smaller pieces.&nb
Moray eels hunt for fish in small crevices along coral reefs and shorelines. If the fish appears too large to consume whole, the eel can wrap itself around the fish in a knot to disable it and then consumes it after tearing it into smaller pieces. Moray eels are not picky eaters. They are opportunistic predators that prey on any fish that is small enough for them to consume, as well as other crustaceans and cephalopods. The moray eel serves its role as a top predator in its marine ecosystem, positioning itself to have few predators due to its large size and reputation to viciously attack potential threats. #scubadiving #scuba #underwaterphotography #underwater #diving #eel #morayeel #wreckdiving #ocean #floridakeys #florida #coralreef #corallife #coral #reef #calloway_underwater_world
Like all fishes, the southern stingray obtains oxygen from the water using its gills, but its habit of burying its mouth in the sediment provides an obstacle to passing water from its mouth to the gill cavity. This species solves that problem by
Like all fishes, the southern stingray obtains oxygen from the water using its gills, but its habit of burying its mouth in the sediment provides an obstacle to passing water from its mouth to the gill cavity. This species solves that problem by pumping water through specialized openings – called spiracles – that are located on the top of the head. The spiracles are located just behind the eyes. The primary predators of southern stingray adults are hammerhead sharks.  Both scalloped hammerheads and Great Hammerheads have been observed using their wide heads to pin stingrays to the seafloor, wildly biting them until they can no longer move. #southernstingray #rays #fish #sharks #florida #sand #reef #ocean #scubadiving #scuba #nikon #nikonz7ii #life @theflorida_community #theflorida_community #calloway_underwater_world
While on our night dive on the Benwood, Key Largo. I saw and captured one of the biggest midnight parrotfish I have seen. The parrot fish plays a very important role when it comes to the issues of bioerosion due to their feeding habits. They use the
While on our night dive on the Benwood, Key Largo. I saw and captured one of the biggest midnight parrotfish I have seen. The parrot fish plays a very important role when it comes to the issues of bioerosion due to their feeding habits. They use the sharp beak to be able to remove algae from rocks. This helps with the production and maintenance of the coral sand for the reef biome as well. They grind up small rocks while eating and when they excrete it, they create sand. #parrotfish #fish #keylargo #nightdiving #scuabdiving #nikon #nikonz7ii #benwood #florida #underwaterphotography #natgeo #coral #life
While diving on the French Reef this school of striped grunts circled our divers hugging the reef. #yellowstripedgrunt #grunt #fish #frenchreef #scuba #scubadiving #coral #life #ocean #marinelife #underwaterphotography #naturephotography #natgeo #amo
While diving on the French Reef this school of striped grunts circled our divers hugging the reef. #yellowstripedgrunt #grunt #fish #frenchreef #scuba #scubadiving #coral #life #ocean #marinelife #underwaterphotography #naturephotography #natgeo #amoraydiveresort #nikon #nikonz7ii #calloway_underwater_world #ikelite
I get ask all the time, What do you like about the ocean and why do you take pictures? My response always comes back to God has created an amazing world. I enjoy capturing the moments and talking about the life that has been created. The colors of so
I get ask all the time, What do you like about the ocean and why do you take pictures? My response always comes back to God has created an amazing world. I enjoy capturing the moments and talking about the life that has been created. The colors of soft and hard corals, tall and short flowing and still, all have a story to be told. #godscreation #scuba #color #marinelife #ocean #reef #coralreef #florida #softcoral #hardcoral #islandmorada #nikonz7ii #ikelite #underwaterphotography #calloway_underwater_world #ikelite
Have scuba questions??? Talk with @jenna.cappo at Tom Leaird’s Underwater Services. For all your divings needs. #scuabdiving #scuba #tomleairdunderwaterservice #underwaterphotography #philipsoutdoorcenter #muncie #bsuscuba #nikon #hannahmbell #
Have scuba questions??? Talk with @jenna.cappo at Tom Leaird’s Underwater Services. For all your divings needs. #scuabdiving #scuba #tomleairdunderwaterservice #underwaterphotography #philipsoutdoorcenter #muncie #bsuscuba #nikon #hannahmbell #florida #keylargo #marathon #water #swim #theflorida_community #ikelite #calloway_underwater_world #ikelite
Come and join Sheli Plummer, Ball State University Aquatics professor. For up coming open water classes fall semester begins soon. #ballstateuniversity #bsu #aquatics #scuba #openwater #underwaterphotography #underwaterarchaeology #wreck #swim @sheli
Come and join Sheli Plummer, Ball State University Aquatics professor. For up coming open water classes fall semester begins soon. #ballstateuniversity #bsu #aquatics #scuba #openwater #underwaterphotography #underwaterarchaeology #wreck #swim @sheliplummer #theflorida_community #ikelite #amoraydiveresort #calloway_underwater_world #ikelite
One of the most beautiful sites diving is seeing schools of fish on the Spiegel Wreck. While swimming around the upper deck 80-90ft we saw many fish and colorful corals on this 35min dive. #spiegel #wrecks #underwaterphotography #unwphotography #fish
One of the most beautiful sites diving is seeing schools of fish on the Spiegel Wreck. While swimming around the upper deck 80-90ft we saw many fish and colorful corals on this 35min dive. #spiegel #wrecks #underwaterphotography #unwphotography #fish #keylargo #islandmorada #scubafiving #nikonz7ii #color #nature #pbs #ikelite #calloway_underwater_world
This marine turtle was caught sleeping on the sandy bottom just of the stern of the Benwood Wreck. He didn’t even care about us divers swimming around him. He winked and went back to sleep. #seaturtle #benwoodwreck #scubadiving #scuba #underwat
This marine turtle was caught sleeping on the sandy bottom just of the stern of the Benwood Wreck. He didn’t even care about us divers swimming around him. He winked and went back to sleep. #seaturtle #benwoodwreck #scubadiving #scuba #underwaterphotography #unwphotography #fish #coralreef #natgeo #nikonz7ii #ikelite
Diving the Benwood alway has a story to tell. This shallow wreck holds a lot of history and is home to many sea creatures. A point of interest associated with her bow is an anchor that's found about 100 feet southeast on her seaward side. Even though
Diving the Benwood alway has a story to tell. This shallow wreck holds a lot of history and is home to many sea creatures. A point of interest associated with her bow is an anchor that's found about 100 feet southeast on her seaward side. Even though controversy occasionally continues about this popular Key Largo dive attraction, the anchor is not hers. Indiana University, which has been involved in extensive research and documentation of this Florida Keys shipwreck site, has determined that her anchor was of a more modern design than the one located 100 feet away. #benwoodwreck #scuba #scubadiving #keylargo #natgeo #nikonz7ii #reef #undereaterphotography #fish #florida_icon #ikelite #calloway_underwater_world

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