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| A rare stand of Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) in the Upper Keys, ancient centennials of the reefs, were awaiting the August full moon to join in the annual spawning event. |
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| Sunset and calm waters as researchers slipped into the ocean |
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| Divers cautiously floated among the pillars, anxiously watching and waiting. Even a small (green) octopus hung around for the show |
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| First the male pillars erupted, shortly after 9:00 pm, bathing the reef in smokey clouds (photo by K. Neely). |
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| And then the female pillars, beginning just before 9:30 pm, cast their tiny pink eggs into the sea to join the dance. |
