Last night (Monday) was quite a site on the reef. The water was full of plankton, providing a unique bioluminescent light show. I happened to spot Ove, one of the Aquanaut scientists, observing the corals that he studies using a technique that I had never experienced before. He uses a blue light and yellow goggles that fit over the diving mask to observe the phosphorescing colors of certain types of corals. Now, I won't date myself, but I had a blacklight and "blacklight posters" as a kid and these corals lit up just like those posters did. (Okay, I admit it. I still have a Lava Lamp in my living room).

Tonight I ran across quite a few interesting creatures of the night. Of course this was after I did my outside habitat maintenance chores (the boss reads these, too). Early on, I ran into a small Spotted Moray. He was surprised to see me as he shyly stuck his head out of his hidey hole. After a minute or two he ducked back in. I noticed another hole about 18 inches away and sure enough out popped his head from this hole. Guess he was playing hide and seek, but it was time for me to move on.

Next on the creature feature list was the Basket Star. In the daytime, they look like a tangled mess in the branches of sea plumes. At night, they spread their tentacles out and feed on the plankton. Shining my light on it attracted more plankton, giving the Basket Star a few extra morsels. As I moved across the sand patch, I came across a Giant Hermit Crab in a very nice conch shell. He was going about his business digging up critters in the sand for dinner. I also saw some of his smaller cousins, the Red Reef Hermit Crab. Their red color really stands out under the dive light. It was about time to call it a night, when I looked up and saw a Reef Squid. I love to watch their "aquabatics" and light show!

All in all, night a bad night of reef watching. I didn't even mention the tons of fish that were around. That's for another night. Time to hit the sack to be well rested for some more valve cleaning tomorrow.

When your down on a reef
See something with big teeth
That's a moray....

When you're down and it's dark
Over there - that a shark?
No, it's a moray.....

I know, I know. Keep my day job!