Bill "Bird" and Diane Oestreich attended the same High School in Northwest Indiana, but did not formally meet until Bill was a freshman at Indiana University, where he received his Basic Scuba Diving certification in 1977.

Although diving was a top interest, it did not exceed his love for music, having trained in percussion since childhood.  Bill and Diane joined forces for the next 11 years as professional musicians, touring the country and overseas.

In 1989 it was time for a haircut!  Settling in Crystal River, Florida, the years since have been devoted to guided manatee tours during the winter months and dive instruction year round, primarily during the dog (not a popular aquatic animal) days of summer. 

Bird has now taught thousands of classes, including: Basic Scuba, Full Cave, Tri-Mix and others.

Diane became an instructor in 1992 for PADI, 1993 for NAUI, 2008 for SDI and 1995 for the National Speleological Society's Cave Diving Section.  She has written 4 articles for the Southern diver issue of Skin Diver magazine. Busy managing the dive shop, and the Bird's Nest, LLC vacation rental houses leaves little time for teaching at this point, but that's OK because... "if I am going to be on the water my preference at this point in time is spearfishing - and wouldn't we all rather be fishing".

Notes to Bird's Underwater

• "... thank you sooo soo much!  The information package is all very wonderful, not to mention the Mana-Tee Shirt.  It fits perfectly."

• "... a lifelong dream fulfilled.  My appreciation of the manatee has been enhanced and my interest deepened."

• "... the service your shop provides is first-rate."

• "... your knowledge of the manatees and the waters in this area is impressive."