As I sit here at my computer I look out the window and see a Schoolmaster snapper, wait, there's a Yellowtail, now there's a school of Barracuda, earlier there was a 6'-7' Lemon shark cruising around. At any given time I can look out and see grouper, snapper, chubs, angelfish, jacks and barracuda. And occasionally a sea turtle will suprise me w/ a visit.
Some of you are probably thinking, "He's just daydreaming in front of his computer at work". Well, I am in front of my computer at work, but this time my work is actually underwater in the Aquarius habitat off the Florida Keys. I'm currently 50 feet underwater where I've been here for the past 4 days and will be for 6 more. I'm here with Thor(yea, that's his real name) running the system for four scientist that are doing research on reef ecology.
You definately get a better feel for the underwater world after living in it for an extended period of time. Looking out, you can see how fish interact with each other as well as the enviroment.
Part of our job is to do maintenience on the habitat. We go out and clean the growth off the external valving,entry/exit point, ect. While doing this we make quite a few friends. I have Spainish Hogfish fighting to be my buddy to get the next oyster I crack. Or Queen Angel fish eating out of my hand along with Butterfly fish. There are two Jewfish(sorry I don't buy into that PC stuff) that will park themselve about a foot away from me and just watch me clean. You soon recognize individual fish and it's like seeing a old friend when they swim up to you(granted I know they only associate me with food). It's a true blessing to be able to do this. To be able to spend hours not just precious minutes or seconds really makes you feel like you are a part of this enviroment but strangely at the same time shows you just how much you're not from here and are truely only a visitor.
Well, just wanted to share a bit of my world. Hope all is well with everyone.
Jay
Some of you are probably thinking, "He's just daydreaming in front of his computer at work". Well, I am in front of my computer at work, but this time my work is actually underwater in the Aquarius habitat off the Florida Keys. I'm currently 50 feet underwater where I've been here for the past 4 days and will be for 6 more. I'm here with Thor(yea, that's his real name) running the system for four scientist that are doing research on reef ecology.
You definately get a better feel for the underwater world after living in it for an extended period of time. Looking out, you can see how fish interact with each other as well as the enviroment.
Part of our job is to do maintenience on the habitat. We go out and clean the growth off the external valving,entry/exit point, ect. While doing this we make quite a few friends. I have Spainish Hogfish fighting to be my buddy to get the next oyster I crack. Or Queen Angel fish eating out of my hand along with Butterfly fish. There are two Jewfish(sorry I don't buy into that PC stuff) that will park themselve about a foot away from me and just watch me clean. You soon recognize individual fish and it's like seeing a old friend when they swim up to you(granted I know they only associate me with food). It's a true blessing to be able to do this. To be able to spend hours not just precious minutes or seconds really makes you feel like you are a part of this enviroment but strangely at the same time shows you just how much you're not from here and are truely only a visitor.
Well, just wanted to share a bit of my world. Hope all is well with everyone.
Jay
