Officer Michael A. Lang
on the job at Sombrero Reef in the Florida Keys. This dive was
one of 12 in a scientific diving course that Lang teaches to
Smithsonian employees who will be doing underwater research.
There are currently 175 scientific divers at the Institution.
Lang is responsible for certification of divers, and the approval
of dive plans for all underwater research at the Institution.
Copyright 1992
Smithsonian Institution.
A pair of
Yellow Tail Snappers 
swim over a section of patch reef
containing tube sponges, rope sponges, golden croinoids, sea fans
and other octocorals.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1107.
A close-up of the head of a
Spotted Eel
sticking out of a hole in
an underwater rock.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1158.
This incredible display of
colorful sponges and tunicates exists
on the roots of the Mangrove tree. The Mangrove is home to many
species, and provides a nursery for young sea life.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1264.
A Row Pore Rope Sponge 
on the barrier reef off the coast of
Belize.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1251.
A juvenile-intermediate
Damsel Fish looks into the camera.
Immature fish are often more brightly colored than adults. In
this case, the bright blue spots which once completely covered it
have begun to disappear. As an adult, this fish will become
nearly all black.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1339.
Upside-down jellyfish 
such as these are abundant in the sea grass
beds that surround mangrove trees on the coast of Belize.
Taken in November, 1992 during an underwater photographic survey
for the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the
barrier reef off the coast of Belize, Central America.
Smithsonian Photo #93-1224.
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