Uploads from Phil's 1stPix, with geodata

Down in a Hole: Lauderdale by the Sea

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:11:59 -0700

A Ballonfish hides in a 'pothole' on the reef. While many of these holes are interconnected to create a network of passageways, this one doesn't leave the occupant anywhere to go.

I was able to get down closer, and get some close-up shots without disturbing it.

Lauderdale by the Sea,
Broward County, Florida.

SeaLife DC1400

Pennekamp Hide and Seek: Far Beach Mangroves

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:11:58 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Snapper and Grunt hide amongst the Sponges and Tunicates colonizing the Mangrove roots off Far Beach.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef
State Park, Monroe County, Key Largo, Florida.
SeaLife DC1400

(Giant) Great Barracuda: Lauderdale by the Sea Florida

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:43:24 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

A Great Barracuda circles around after I stumbled across a morning cleaning session on the 1st reef. The wrasse and a couple of smaller angels scurried off, but the other fish around give you a good idea just how big is big.

Lauderdale by the Sea,
Broward County, Florida
SeaLife DC1400

Niles Channel Bridge, Summerland-Wahoo Key

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:43:24 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Shallow sponge flats stretch between the sea grass beds near the channel near the Niles Road Launch. At some point, the Park Service built this bridge across Summerland and Wahoo Key.

Apparently, they were filming a special Florida Keys edition of the Dukes of Hazzard and they removed a section of the bridge for a jump scene... but then the shoot was canceled and they never repaired it.

OLYMPUS E-600

Hold on Tight: Mangrove Chute, Cudjoe Key

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:52:39 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

A 'Mystery' crab clings to a sponge on the bottom of a swift cut formed between the Mangroves on Cudjoe Key. The current is so swift at times, that you cannot swim against it and have to go along for the ride as well.

We spotted a few of these crabs, along with another white crab species in this chute, along with 1000's of fish. This is my new: "I've never seen so many fish, and so many big ones in one spot" spot.

Cudjoe Key
Great Heron National Wildlife Refuge
SeaLife DC1400

Shark Hotspot, Wahoo Key Mangroves

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:52:38 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

These sponge flats around the small Mangrove islands off Wahoo Key are the place to be for many Nurse, Bonnethead and other sharks.

Wahoo Key, Florida Keys

Giant Tarpon: Cruising the Potholes

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:57:47 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

A lone Tarpon cruises over the 'potholes' over the reef near the Anglin Pier off Lauderdale by the Sea.

I don't usually take these kind of look-down shots, but it gives a good idea just how big this huge minnow is. This one was very sneaky and came up in my blindspot near the surface at just over an arms length away. Luckily my significant other alerted me with her sudden 'get the camera ready' squeeze and I was able to get a few shots as it passed.

Megalops atlanticus
SeaLife DC1400

Blending In: Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:37:49 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

A large Great Barracuda slips in with the 'little guys' just off Cannon Beach at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Key Largo, Florida Keys
SeaLife DC1400

Down Low on Cudjoe: Great Heron National Wildlife Refuge

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:23:23 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

It might look like just another Mangrove Tunnel, but this chute on Cudjoe Key has a very swift current, and more Snapper, Grunt and Grouper than I've ever seen before in one place... and there aren't just a lot of fish, there are a ton of BIG ones.

Cudjoe Key
Great Heron National Wildlife Refuge

OLYMPUS E-600 w/ Rocketfish Polarizer

Wahoo Key On the Rocks

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:23:23 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

At the tip of Wahoo Key between a small Mangrove Island is a deep hole and a swift water cut that holds thousands of fish along the Mangrove banks, rock ledges and grass beds. The force of the current is very strong, especially in the center and on the ends of the hole.

Wahoo Key, Florida Keys

SeaLife DC1400

Live Traffic Cam: Fish Freeway

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:10:45 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Traffic is moving smoothly around the island in Gainer Springs during the morning rush.

Gainer Spring
Econfina Creek Canoe Trail,
Northwest Florida Water Management District

SeaLife DC1400

Blowing Rocks: Nature Conservancy Preserve

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:15:24 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Another wave crashes into the shoreline. You can see bits of shells and fossils embedded in the rock in the foreground.

Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve,
Jupiter Island, Martin County, Florida
The Nature Conservancy

Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve

Wet Dog: Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:37:06 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

A wave crashes into the "Doghead". You can see bits of shells and fossils embedded in the rock in the foreground.

Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve,
Jupiter Island, Martin County, Florida
The Nature Conservancy

Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve

Mangrove Root Fortress, Long Beach, Big Pine KeyFlorida

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:37:06 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

These intertwined Red Mangrove roots form the shores of Long Beach and NewFound Harbor Keys. As you see, they grow out into the flats little by little.

SeaLife DC1200 with wide angle lens and SL961 Strobe.

Torch Key Mangroves

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:15:08 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Plenty of Perches, No Wait.
Hundreds of Osprey, Cormorants, Egrets, and Herons roosting in the trees, resting on the limbs, and hanging around on the outskirts.

Torch Key Mangroves
Florida Keys

Olympus E-600
RocketFish Polarizer
Lightroom 4

Long Beach Snapshot, Big Pine Key

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:15:08 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

In the shallows just off the shore of Long Beach at the Kayak Launch, a cooperative Southern Stingray and a Mangrove Snapper pose for a few shots.

Long Beach, Big Pine Key, Florida Keys
SeaLife DC 1200 w/ Wide Angle Lens

Blowing Rocks: Frozen Gator

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:35:54 -0700

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Time after time, year after year, the "Gator" never does seem to make it into the water no matter it dives in.

Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve,
Jupiter Island, Martin County, Florida
The Nature Conservancy

Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve

Big Boys in Gainer Spring

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:42:50 -0800

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

A couple of Largemouth Bass hover around the small island in the center of the spring run.

Gainer Spring
Econfina Creek Canoe Trail,
Northwest Florida Water Management District
SeaLife DC1400

Inches Off the Beaten Path: Grassy Waters Preserve

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:42:50 -0800

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

Just a few feet off the boardwalk in Grassy Waters Preserve, you can see "Real Florida" as it once was.

Big Torch Mangroves: Treasure Island

nobody@flickr.com (Phil's 1stPix) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:42:49 -0800

Phil's 1stPix posted a photo:

It may not look like much, especially with the skinny water on the perimeter, but this particular Mangrove Island leads to a little 'Hidden Treasure'. Between these two clumps of trees, there is a little channel, and a 15' boat is sunk in about 6 feet of water. The little creek inside is about 12 feet deep in the center, and the mangrove roots form deep undercut banks. To say there were 1,000's of Snapper... is an understatement.

OLYMPUS E-600