Topic: What are those brilliant blue creatures washing up on California beaches? (Read 916 times)

July 30, 2014, 03:55:00 PM

http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/07/30/what-are-those-brilliant-blue-creatures-washing-up-on-california-beaches/

July 30, 2014, 04:22:58 PM #1

Velella Velella or By the Wind Sailors - harmless little jelly colonies that indicate warmer water along Nor Cal's coast.

Been seeing lots of them this summer, and I've heard rockfish like to eat them...

July 30, 2014, 04:33:55 PM #2

Saw them all along the Oregon coast last week. Look like little rolled up condoms!

July 30, 2014, 04:44:51 PM #3

Quote from: wormguy on July 30, 2014, 04:33:55 PM

Saw them all along the Oregon coast last week. Look like little rolled up condoms!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw an ocean of condoms

July 30, 2014, 04:56:33 PM #4

When I was out salmon fishing a week or so ago, it was real glassy and I stopped to tie a rig. After a while I noticed that fish were popping on the surface all around me-- like good sized bass hitting on frogs or something. I realized that it was a bunch of blues (and blacks?) snagging the By the Wind Sailors from the top. It turned into quite a boil for a while. Fun to watch.

July 30, 2014, 06:55:11 PM #5

I saw some at Albion on Saturday and thought it was trash, so paddled over to pick them up. (There were 2) Then I thought they were rubbers! Ha!

July 30, 2014, 09:07:00 PM #6

Quote from: DaveW on July 30, 2014, 04:56:33 PM

When I was out salmon fishing a week or so ago, it was real glassy and I stopped to tie a rig. After a while I noticed that fish were popping on the surface all around me-- like good sized bass hitting on frogs or something. I realized that it was a bunch of blues (and blacks?) snagging the By the Wind Sailors from the top. It turned into quite a boil for a while. Fun to watch.

We were out there with that boil. It was very odd to watch and I actually saw one salmon swimming around them looking odd. The water was really clear that day.

July 30, 2014, 09:12:12 PM #7

they were all around by pacific grove today out in 150 f.o.w --I was trying to scoop one onto my paddle to check it out-not very easy-I gave up
When I was young someone told me they were baby mussels that were looking for place to anchor,then they would fold shut and harden into mussels...turns out ...NOT!!!!

July 31, 2014, 01:28:40 AM #8

Jerry I saw a few at Albion as well. I had already seen pictures of them so I knew what they were.

July 31, 2014, 12:38:58 PM #9

There were some homeless guys camping at Dog Beach at the mouth of the Noyo. With great intent, they warned me repeatedly about the "Man O' War" jellyfish all over the beach. Of course they were all the By the Wind Sailors. They meant well, but I had to laugh.

Dave

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Topic: What are those brilliant blue creatures washing up on California beaches? (Read 916 times)

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