Francis Bay has been crowded lately--not with people, but with fish and sea birds.

Frye have been frequenting the shallow fringing reef along Francis Bay's rocky north shore. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like underwater clouds.

On the outskirts of these living clouds, in slightly deeper water, lurk predators, such as jacks, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, barracuda and tarpon. Every now and then one of these larger fish will attack, moving quickly into the glittery mass. The frye are extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. In a burst of speed they move away from the oncoming predators. Some are successful and some are eaten.  Some breach the surface of the water, fly through the air and splash back into the sea. This splash, however, puts them into yet more danger. Waiting pelicans and brown boobies swoop down in the vicinity of the splash scooping up their unsuspecting prey.

In the midst of all this activity, large schools of French grunts, oblivious to the drama around them, hover, almost motionless, over and around colorful live coral. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. Diminutive damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at often much larger intruders.

A closer look will reveal all sorts of beautiful and mysterious sea creatures like small eels, tube worms, brightly colored sponges, sea fans, and other gorgonians.
 
All this awaits you at Francis Bay in beautiful St. John. So bring your snorkel gear and join the crowd!

Gerald Singer
[email protected]