This was the first time I’ve seen a live conch scooting across the bottom. The intense red foot was surprising and amazing. Unfortunately I didn’t get a good photograph of that.

The color and variety of fish in the ocean is incredible. I love all the patterns on this fish. How do these patterns and colors benefit this species of fish? In the right location it becomes easier to figure out but no so much in this picture.

They are a little hard to see but there are several squid watching you. There are a couple of yellow stripes in the center of this photo. That is a squid. There are at least two more, one on each side of the most colorful one. Can you find them? I was surprised by these. At first I saw one swimming in front of me and all of a sudden I noticed a school of them. Once I stopped close enough and they stopped I realized what they were as they would move what appeared to be backwards.

A piece of the moat wall of Fort Jefferson which has fallen into the water. It is surrounded by fish and coral.

A specimen piece of coral. I could have spent a lot of time observing and photographing these corals. Unfortunately time was short.

Another larger seafan.

There is a lot going on around this rock. There are a number of smaller fish searching for food and/or shelter among some smaller corals and algae.

Brain coral with feather dusters emerged.

A red sea star or starfish sifting through the sand.

A large purple seafan moving with the ocean currents. Surrounded by a number of other corals together creating a beautiful underwater landscape.