The Beauty of the Coral Reef

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The Beauty of the Coral Reef The tropical sun penetrates my skin as I sit on top of the smooth, hot sand anxiously putting on each piece of my snorkeling gear. I slip my feet into the tight fins, wiggling my toes through the taut rubber until it feels just right. Pulling the bulky plastic mask over my eyes I look out at the sea. The waves are rolling onto the sand, beckoning me to come in and explore the glorious creations underneath their surface. Adjusting my mouthpiece and getting a steady breath, I waddle over to the surf and begin to abide their call. Gently the water brushes upon my skin as I slip into the rolling waves, letting each part of my sun kissed body feel the cool sensation of the water against my skin. Effortlessly I glide through the sapphire sea, admiring sparkles on the underside of slick, moving wavelets rimmed with light, gently propelling through the water trying not to disturb the peacefulness of the environment, then turning to glimpse a dazzling sight: corals, sponges, anemones, in a riot of soft pinks, blazing reds, luminous oranges, all marked with the disciplined wildness that I love in nature. The coral stands out like magnificent creations of heaven, vibrant colors and touch-me textures engulf each beautiful piece. I want to reach out and feel the tantalizing arrangement of beauty that I see beneath me. Each coral has a distinctive look: soft and touchable, delicate and fragile, coarse and rigid, but all woven together as one. Sea urchins mottle the coral surface, their spines protectively guarding the small animal that hides beneath. A blue sea star sits atop the colorful coral with the tip of its arm curling up like a newly opened leaf on a plant almost as if waving to me. Tiny dots that freckle the invertebrates’ pulpous skin stand out more as I glide in to get a closer look at the friendly little creature. Upright bundles of

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