Scuba Diving
Key Largo, Florida
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

This picture is actually a "self-portrait" taken at a depth of about 45'.

Preparing for the 2nd dive of the day

To achieve neutral buoyancy - 
16 lbs of integrated lead weight was added. 

Entering the water with a stride jump, holding onto mask and gear.

Each dive is a new experience, on this dive I met my buddy
at the end of the trailing line.  I always seem to get paired
with an 'Brit', however; Jonathan was from North Carolina. 

This is actually a "swim through" aka coral cave, the tight 
space reflected sediment in the picture.
(some Snapper and a Stoplight Parrotfish)

I'm not sure what kind of fish this is, but if you know e-mail
me and I'll let people know.
(Hogfish)

There are many dangerous creatures underwater that I've 
seen over the years.  In Fall of 2002, I saw my first shark
(7 1/2' Nurse Shark).  On that same dive I ended up swimming
through a school of about 20 Barracuda.  I've also seen many
Maura-Ell's and a scorpion fish.  If you look in the distance
there is a barracuda checking me out.  Underwater objects
appear 1/3 larger (so things are further then they appear).

(Nassau Grouper)

(Close-up of Nassau Grouper)

My dive buddy took this photo.
(Homo Sapian, aka Me!)

The above picture is an exit of a coral cave.

My dive buddy swims away!

(Margate (I think) and a Stoplight Parrotfish)

Really cool fish.
(Stop light Parrotfish in the initial phase)

The current in the Florida keys is not that strong, however; 
I've done "drift dives" in Deerfield and West Palm Beaches.
(group of Schoolmasters)

(Left to Right - Black Margate, Spanish Grunt, 
Spotfin Butterflyfish, Porkfish)

My favorite picture.  Not bad for my first underwater pictures? 
(Gray Angelfish)

(Hogfish)

(Stoplight Parrotfish)

(Snapper)

Hanging out in the keys.

*Special Note:  I'd like to thank Karen, who was instrumental
in helping identify all of the fish on my diving adventure.  You
can check out Karen's site and thank her.  She is really into 
marine biology / scuba diving, and has some awesome video of a
shark dive!  All of the comments in green were with her assistance.