Seth Patterson's photostream  

In my opinion, no snorkeling excursion in the Caribbean is complete without encountering a Trumpet Fish or two. These large critters are not especially flighty relying instead on their shape and coloration to provide camouflage amongst the many species of soft corals known as Gorgonians. It is always intriguing to watch them sway fluidly with the surge as if part of the coral themselves.

A Queen Conch peers out from the safety of its shell. These large invertebrates spend their lives calmly foraging the sea grass beds of the Caribbean and surrounding tropical waters. Taking 5 years to mature and growing up to 40 years in age, it isn't surprising to know that they are now threatened and in decline from over fishing and poaching.

A Flamingo Tongue glides across a Sea Fan, sucking out coral polyps as it goes.

The young Redband and Bucktooth Parrotfish are always fun to watch as they sneak around the reefs and the surrounding seagrasses beds however their shy personalities sure make them a challenge to photograph.

This is another shot of the same Snowy Egret I photographed a few days ago at Estero Llano Grande. This portrait is from when it set down right infront of me as I lay motionlessly along the wetlands.