As soon as the "oohs" and "aahs" of St. Thomas More students began to subside after viewing a Michael Patrick O'Neil slide of a beautiful undersea coral reef, an even brighter photo of an exotic sea creature appeared on the screen, bringing new exclamations.

Returning after a visit five years ago, O'Neil's award-winning photography was all new to the kindergarten through fourth grade students at the school.

O'Neil is a Florida based author of seven educational books about ocean life, and an award-winning underwater photographer who has taken his talent to locations around the world seeking to photograph fish and shore creatures in prints which have appeared in prestigious publications around the world.

An ardent ocean conservationist, O'Neil showed photographs of the terrible toll pollution and trash is taking on the ocean habitats around the globe. Photos of sea creatures trapped in discarded fishing lines that would eventually take the lives of the marine fish and mammals emphasized how man is destroying a paradise under the surface.

"You probably wonder how you can save an ocean," O'Neill said to his audience. "It's as simple as picking up a discarded plastic bag or beverage can when you are at the seashore on vacation," he said.

Photos of O'Neil's diving companions with mesh bags full of trash showed "a little bit of effort can go a long way in helping our undersea treasures continue to thrive," he said.

O'Neil lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and for the last 21 years has traveled extensively worldwide photographing diverse aquatic animals, habitats and man's impact on them. He has written and photographed seven nonfiction marine life books designed to encourage school children to read, write and become involved in science and conservation.

O'Neil's images have appeared in hundreds of publications worldwide including BBC Wildlife, National Geographic Magazine, National Wildlife, Newsweek, Smithsonian and The New York Times, among others. He has won and placed in the prestigious photography competitions including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Pictures of the Year, Nature's Best and National Wildlife.

His books include "Wild Waters Photo Journal;" "Shark Encounters;" "Ocean Magic;" "Fishy Friends;" "Let's Explore Sea Turtles;" "Let's Explore Coral Reefs" and others.

Librarian Maureen Fernbacher read all his books to students and families had the opportunity to purchase personalized signed copies.

For more information, and to see examples of O'Neill's incredible work, visit his website at www.mpostock.com.