You did your first REEF survey on November 7, 2004 at Goulding Cay (Hollywood Bowl) in The Bahamas.  What got you started?

I learned to dive in Maine and my first Caribbean diving was near my grandparents house in Palm Beach, Florida. On one of the dives I saw a pair of Scrawled Filefish. They were so unusual and seemingly unsuited for swimming I was just fascinated by them. I ask the DM if they were triggerfish and he corrected me. I had always been interested in zoology and knew many animals ID's especially amphibians and reptiles but I realized my marine fish knowledge was lacking. The world wide web had been out there for a bit and I stumbled onto the REEF website. I was lucky enough to go on my first REEF trip with Paul Humann and I learned a lot. After that, like so many of us fish geeks, it snow-balled from there.

When and where did you do your 1,000th Survey? Tell us anything memorable about your 1,000th survey?

My first dive on my last REEF trip in Grand Cayman, just a few weeks ago, was my 1,000th survey. There were many old REEF friends on the trip who I hadn't seen in a long time so it was more than a bit of a reunion. What made it really special is that I got several wonderful photos of the fish in question, the Golden Hamlet, which was indeed a pleasant surprise. I had only ever seen them before on a REEF trip to Maria la Gorda, Cuba.

In which regions have you done surveys?  What experience levels are you in those other regions?

I have done surveys in many of REEF's regions; TWA, PAC, HAW, TEP, SOP, NE and CIP. I am level 5 in TWA and PAC and level 3 in TEP and SOP.

Do you have any favorite dive spots in those places?
I dive the Sea of Cortez every year and the dive site El Caballo is a favorite of mine. The Sea of Cortez is a truly fascinating and unique place. And the house reef at Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia is also amazing.

What are some of your favorite fishes/invertebrates (since you also do surveys in CAL, PNW and NE regions)?  What makes them your favorite?

Well as I mentioned the Scrawled Filefish has always been a favorite of mine from the very beginning. I also love any kind of jawfish because of their fussy behavior and hamlets for their absolute uniqueness.  As to invertebrates I would have to say the Eastern Pacific Red Octopus because they have such a Napoleon complex.

What is your favorite thing/memory about REEF and the Volunteer Survey Project?

I led a trip to Belize in 2014. There was a great deal going on in my personal life at the time and I seriously needed the decompression. Not only did we have an amazing trip but I ended up taking a photo of a Glover's Reef Toadfish which, it turns out, had never been documented in the wild before.

What are your goals with REEF for the future?

To keep diving, keep taking photos and share my images and knowledge with anyone who is interested. Many REEFers have said that they miss me teaching fishinars and I certainly would consider doing them again if the powers that be are interested. Caudal Peduncle NICE LADY!