The undersea world of the Florida Keys coral reef is as vast as the above terrestrial world. This page is simply a sample page hoping to attract assistance in displaying this fascinating submerged world; therefore it is an eclectic assortment. Hopefully, we will soon begin with its flora, fauna and cultural objects. Remember many facets effect the colors of underwater photography. For this reason gathering reasonably good images will be difficult and help is needed.

  See if you can locate the spotted scorpion fish camouflaged in the above image.  

     Not every thing at the reef is of natural history. Above is shown the support piling for a 1800's day marker beacon. This one is submerged at French Reef. 

     Above is the visible beacon part that was above water. Also at French Reef. 

 The waters surrounding the reef abound with beauty. An example of what is normally the fascinating "water purification" common sponge, above is the fluorescent blue sponge.      

 Generally the floor is laden with growth. Sometimes it is not as at this location off of Tavernier Key where a fresh water vent allows fresh water to enter. The volume of fresh water varies with many factors, one 

being the rainy season.

   Above is one of the reef builder corals. When we visit the Florida Keys, one should remember that it was just a few thousand years ago that the island were live coral forests. Therefore the true native Keys animals were the corals, etc.

     Another reef builder was the pillar corals, of which a very small one is shown above.

     Viewing another submerges cultural resource that in time is covered with natural resources. Both resources are now protected by the Florida Keys Natural Marine Sanctuary.

  All the resources are effect by other forces. The pile of rusted cannonballs were uncovered by Hurricane

Irene.  

    The sponge is a common sight on the ocean floor. Note the live around the area. 

     As in the world, there is healthy and diseased organisms. Above is a diseased elliptical star coral and from the appearance almost everything surrounding it is not well. 

Another of the corals and this case a healthy one, is the black coral. It is the plant-looking growth that is flexible in the currents. Not all corals are the rigid hard corals. 

  Concluding with man out of his element researching on the permitted wreck of the Capitana which sank in 1733.

The above is just a sample. There is more of the reef to see.