Even though most of my face was covered by neoprene, acrylic glass and rubber, I could still feel the whiskers of the harbor seal rub against my skin as he repeatedly kissed my face. Believe it or not, the harbor seal wasn't the only marine organism that was showing me the love during a morning of scientific diving in a marine reserve off the coast of Catalina Island, California.
Sheephead wrasses, garibaldi, and other temperate reef fishes had been swarming me all morning, frequently coming right up to my mask and looking me in the eyes. It was as if the kelp forest had officially accepted me into its family. I tried to focus on the task at hand: data collection for a pilot study on Southern California marine protected areas but could not believe what was happening all around me. I couldn't help but keep telling myself, "Wow, people have to see this for themselves." The next day I brought underwater video equipment with me and began filming. Sixth months later a documentary was born. Even since then, communicating science through film has played a major part of my role as a marine researcher. Read and comment at http://www.esa.org/esablog/science-journalism/scientists-and-filmmakers-are-making-%E2%80%9Cwaves%E2%80%9D-together/.
