lots of blue marine life on Destin beach

[toesinthesand]

Hi I just found this board and I just recently visited Destin, and I love this area!!! I think I will start comming here instead of treasure island, its closer and more peaceful. I have a question, as I was walking on the beach I saw alot of oval shaped blue things, all washed up on the beach, they look like the inside of a shell, but I was just curious if they were a type of jelly fish or what, :idontno: the birds were eating on them. Thanks!! cant wait to get my toes back in the gulf sand. :razz:

[iwishiwasthere]

:welcome: Glad to have you on board. As for the sea creature, ??? Post often.

[kurt]

:welcome:

They were probably Portugese Man Of War (http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1053.htm). We have purple flags out for them in SoWal.

http://www.jaxshells.org/515x.jpg

[Smiling JOe]

Kurt is right on target. There are many of them on the beach which have dried up and are now completely clear. They look like a shell imprint on plastic with a little handle. I am not sure if the toxins are still in the remaining part of the jellyfish, but I wouldn't be playing to much with them.

[Paula]

:welcome: Amazing photo, Kurt. I've never seen one that looks like that, though I have seen the clear ones on the beach, usually small ones now and then.

[toesinthesand]

thank you!!! these things were flat and small 1/2 inch hairs around the edges, and clear in the center with a clear thin (fin) straight up the blue rim was 1/2 inch in diameter clear but circular designs in the center and the thing sticking up. I didnt touch them just looked at them, no long tenicals,and there were a few small ones about the size of a quarter, and the rest the size of an optical mouse for a pc, only flat. they all looked fresh and not dried up. There were probably 100 or so. Thanks agian for the info. Does everybody have to be millinares to live on the gulf coast? how does an average person afford housing on the emerald isle. Thanks again for all the responses, I took pix of them and if I get them developed in a couple of days I will try to post it.

[Smiling JOe]

thank you!!! these things were flat and small 1/2 inch hairs around the edges, and clear in the center with a clear thin (fin) straight up the blue rim was 1/2 inch in diameter clear but circular designs in the center and the thing sticking up. I didnt touch them just looked at them, no long tenicals,and there were a few small ones about the size of a quarter, and the rest the size of an optical mouse for a pc, only flat. they all looked fresh and not dried up. There were probably 100 or so. Thanks agian for the info. Does everybody have to be millinares to live on the gulf coast? how does an average person afford housing on the emerald isle. Thanks again for all the responses, I took pix of them and if I get them developed in a couple of days I will try to post it. Those which you describe finding on the beach are what Kurt posted in the photo. When I say dried up, I mean they lost the color, the airpocket deflated to a thin fin shape, the tentacles are gone. The remains are not brittle, but instead are very plyable and feel a bit like latex.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Actually, the little sea creatures that are have washed up are called velella velella. Velella velella is the genus/species name, but that is what they commonly go by also. They are blue, but become clear after they die. They are related to the Portuguese Man o' War. Each velella velella is actually a colony of separate organisms and they float on the water with a "sail" that catches the wind. The velella velella has a very mild sting.

[Smiling JOe]

Actually, the little sea creatures that are have washed up are called viella viella. Viella viella is the genus/species name, but that is what they commonly go by also. They are blue, but become clear after they die. They are related to the Portugues Man o' War. Each viella viella is actually a colony of separate organisms and they float on the water with a "sail" that catches the wind. The viella viella has a very mild sting.Interesting.:scratch: Where can I find more info on the viella viella? I can seem to find any info on the web regarding viella viella.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Interesting.:scratch: Where can I find more info on the viella viella? I can seem to find any info on the web regarding viella viella.

Umm, I just edited by previous post because I mispelled it. It is velella velella. Just search it on google. There are tons of pictures, etc. My kids and I figured out what they were by doing some web research on "Jellyfish in the Gulf of Mexico." However, you don't need to do that. As I said there are many references on "velella velella."

[Smiling JOe]

http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/images/digital/velella3.jpg
Remains of a By-the-wind sailor (Velella velella)
Godrevy 28th Sept 2004
Photograph by David Williams

This is definitely what I was seeing today. Thanks for the info CCK!

[Camp Creek Kid]

http://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/images/digital/velella3.jpg
Remains of a By-the-wind sailor (Velella velella)
Godrevy 28th Sept 2004
Photograph by David Williams

This is definitely what I was seeing today. Thanks for the info CCK!


No problem. Thanks for posting the pic. I wanted to post one, but I'm not so good at it--it would have taken me forever to remember how to do it. ;-)

[seagrovelover]

Ok first off those man of war things are GROSS and secondly :welcome: to toesinthesand !!!!!! once you discover this area you will not want to go anywhere else!!!!!!!! :biggrin:

[gilesdad]

YIKES! :shock:
I had no idea Man O' Wars were found in SoWal. We've only encountered comb and moon jellies. Guess we've been lucky.

[Miss Kitty]

:eek: I was bemoaning the fact I couldn't get to the beach yesterday and now I am glad! I did see a purple flag yesterday and another day this week. Looks like the velella velella are coming ashore for Spring Break to get a cheeseburger cheeseburger!

[iqueequeg]

hey, while we're on the topic, what happens if you step on one of the moon jellies?

[Rita]

Thanks for the pics & info peeps! I find this interesting and wouldn't mind finding them when I'm there. Sometimes the beach is too "sterile". I like finding interesting critters and things. :D

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks for the pics & info peeps! I find this interesting and wouldn't mind finding them when I'm there. Sometimes the beach is too "sterile". I like finding interesting critters and things. :D

If you like finding interesting things on the beach, try Seagrove Beach. Yesterday while on a short walk, I found a Nitrous Oxide canister, plastic shovel, pair of goggles, fishing line, beer cans, plastic tops, cigarette butts, straws, plastic sheething, some parts to something:idontno:, part of a styrofoam container, plenty of Velella Velella, Sargassum Grass, etc. I am sure that I am leaving out some things. I made four trips to the garbage can walking less than 1/4 mile. Next time I go to Seagrove, I will bring my gloves and Hefty garbage bag for my short walk on the beach.

[gotothebeachmom]

If you like finding interesting things on the beach, try Seagrove Beach. Yesterday while on a short walk, I found a Nitrous Oxide canister, plastic shovel, pair of goggles, fishing line, beer cans, plastic tops, cigarette butts, straws, plastic sheething, some parts to something:idontno:, part of a styrofoam container, plenty of Velella Velella, Sargassum Grass, etc. I am sure that I am leaving out some things. I made four trips to the garbage can walking less than 1/4 mile. Next time I go to Seagrove, I will bring my gloves and Hefty garbage bag for my short walk on the beach.

:pissed:I don't understand why some folks treat such a beautiful place in such a shoddy manner! :idontno:

[Smiling JOe]

Some days I just want to stick my head in the sand. For a while, I thought I was in PCB. At least the beautiful water and calming waves balances it out somewhat.

[Rita]

If you like finding interesting things on the beach, try Seagrove Beach. Yesterday while on a short walk, I found a Nitrous Oxide canister, plastic shovel, pair of goggles, fishing line, beer cans, plastic tops, cigarette butts, straws, plastic sheething, some parts to something:idontno:, part of a styrofoam container, plenty of Velella Velella, Sargassum Grass, etc. I am sure that I am leaving out some things. I made four trips to the garbage can walking less than 1/4 mile. Next time I go to Seagrove, I will bring my gloves and Hefty garbage bag for my short walk on the beach.

Trash doesn't count as "interesting", SJ! Who's doing this? :banging:

We have just rented a condo at Palms of Seagrove for end of June .... Guess we'll bring extra trash bags. Maybe you can make a sweep through right before we get there. ;-)

[Miss Kitty]

Trash doesn't count as "interesting", SJ! Who's doing this? :banging:

We have just rented a condo at Palms of Seagrove for end of June .... Guess we'll bring extra trash bags. Maybe you can make a sweep through right before we get there. ;-)

SJ can hire hisself out....Smiling Joe...The Beach Butler!

Nitrous Oxide canister??? :blink:

[Smiling JOe]

SJ can hire hisself out....Smiling Joe...The Beach Butler!

Nitrous Oxide canister??? :blink:What does the Butler job pay?:floor:

[Rita]

What does the Butler job pay?:floor:

$8.50/hour and you have to brown bag it. :biggrin:

[Smiling JOe]

$8.50/hour and you have to brown bag it. :biggrin:At $8.50 per hour, I could come over and drink some Margaritas with you, but not much more.:funn:

[toesinthesand]

A BIG THANKYOU to all of you, wow you learn something new everyday!!! :doh: Its funny the first day there wernt any vellela vellela on the beach then they all decided to come up on our 3rd day. We were staying at the Ramada limited in Sandestin, the beach was very clean, and just beautiful !!! There were a few sand sculptures, and aligator and castles... couple of guys fishing and one caught a catfish and threw him back :clap_1: Your right I will never go any place else but the emerald isle. Beasly park is beautiful also. I could walk from one end of the pan handle to the other and enjoy every inch. I hope to be a snow bird this year. Thanks again to you all.

[Rita]

forgot to say WELCOME, toesinthesand!

[Miss Kitty]

A BIG THANKYOU to all of you, wow you learn something new everyday!!! :doh: Its funny the first day there wernt any vellela vellela on the beach then they all decided to come up on our 3rd day. We were staying at the Ramada limited in Sandestin, the beach was very clean, and just beautiful !!! There were a few sand sculptures, and aligator and castles... couple of guys fishing and one caught a catfish and threw him back :clap_1: Your right I will never go any place else but the emerald isle. Beasly park is beautiful also. I could walk from one end of the pan handle to the other and enjoy every inch. I hope to be a snow bird this year. Thanks again to you all.

:clap_1: ..you got the sowal spirit so bad it's good!!! Thanks for joining in!!!

[SoWalSally]

Invasion of the man-of-war hits South Walton , Purple flags on South Walton beach signal that the creatures have arrived again

BY HEATHER CIVIL FLORIDA FREEDOM NEWS SERVICE

South Walton County beaches are spotted with the shriveled remains of Portuguese man-of-wars, creatures that pack a painful sting.
For the past several days hundreds of the creatures have floated in on the tide and are lingering not far from the shore.
The South Walton Fire District has been flying purple flags on the beaches for the past three days to warn swimmers of the threat.
The purple flags are part of a flag warning system adopted in South Walton two years ago.
Still, most people have no clue what the purple flags mean.
“The flags mean that (the man-of-wars) are out there and there’s a good chance you’re going to get stung,” said SWFD Deputy Chief Sean Hughes.
Cathy Pennington of Fort Rucker, Ala., spent Wednesday morning on the beach at Ed Walline Park, where very few people dared to go in the water.
Not far from her beach umbrella and blanket lay several dead man-of-wars.
Pennington said that the man-of-wars didn’t bother her and that she was willing to swim with them. “I’m not scared,” she said.
Some people call the creatures man-of-wars while others say men-ofwar. Both terms are correct.
But those who call them jellyfish are mistaken. Although it resembles one, the man-of-war is not considered a true jellyfish.
The Portuguese man-ofwar, named for its resemblance to a Portuguese sailing vessel, is a colony of four small animals called polyps. Each polyp has its own tentacle suspended under an almost clear floating gas-filled bladder.
The man-of-war can be blue, pink or violet.
The creatures are common in the Gulf of Mexico and move by floating wherever the wind and tide carry them.
The ones that have washed up on the beaches in South Walton are an iridescent blue.
The man-of-war’s tentacles can trail up to 165 feet behind the floating bladder and trap plankton and small fish as they dangle.
The tentacles, which are hard to see in the water, release microscopic darts that carry a paralyzing toxin.
Humans can easily become the unintended target of the painful sting and suffer red welts.
The beaches in South Walton, Destin, Okaloosa Island and points west have all had their share of man-of-war infestations in the past.
A few of the creatures have bothered swimmers on the island, and one beachgoer needed medical treatment for a sting on Tuesday, said Tracey Vause, beach supervisor with the Okaloosa County Public Safety Department.
Man-of-wars typically arrive en-masse several times a year, Vause said. They usually appear in late May and early June and come with the tide after summer storms, he said.
“We see them at several points during the year when the weather warms up,” said Vause.
The man-of-war sting is not usually life-threatening. However, the toxin can cause severe reactions, including fever and shock. Sometimes the stings can leave scars.
There are countless suggestions on the Internet for treating a man-of-war sting, including using vinegar, meat tenderizer, alcohol or even human urine to take the pain away.
The South Walton Fire District lifeguards and firefighters carry meat tenderizer and vinegar to treat stings on themselves and beachgoers, said Hughes.
While they don’t take the pain away completely, the tenderizer and vinegar can relieve it somewhat, Hughes said.
“We tell most people that the sting will hurt for about 45 minutes,” he said. “Of course, if the symptoms become severe, seek medical attention.”

[reece]

man-of-war or fly? which is worse? :cool:

i think the flies are more bothersome myself, don't you? course, trash floating around is a close second. man, sj, i can't believe the stuff you found. what is wrong with people?


reece

[Smiling JOe]

man-of-war or fly? which is worse? :cool:

i think the flies are more bothersome myself, don't you? course, trash floating around is a close second. man, sj, i can't believe the stuff you found. what is wrong with people?


reeceIMO, the Flies are worse for the reason that I can exit the water to escape the Man-of-Wars, but I have to go inside or pull out my Bug Juice to escape the Flies.

Regarding your question of what is wrong with people (trashing the beaches), I think that more people need to go to the dump (landfill) and see and smell the piles of waste. In particular, lawyers, marketing people, and politicians need to spend some time at the dump, so that they will see all the garbage they cause due to all of the unnecessary labeling on goods, which most often requires more packaging to display the labels. I say that if you cannot smell bleach and know that you should not drink it, you probably shouldn't be able to earn enough money to buy the bleach to begin with. :idontno: Most labeling today is deceptive anyway. I have some issues with many of the often seen marketing tools on packaging.

That would be only a start, but a good start.

[JB]

Any idea how long these critters will hang around? I'll be down in two weeks and really don't want to deal with this.

[Mermaid]

Any idea how long these critters will hang around? I'll be down in two weeks and really don't want to deal with this.

JB, you're so funny! I don't think there's really any way you tell marine pests that they're not wanted. It's their beach, too. :floor:

[JB]

Perhaps I should re-phrase. For those of you who are locals, how long are these pests normally a problem after they first appear?

[jessifunn]

Perhaps I should re-phrase. For those of you who are locals, how long are these pests normally a problem after they first appear?
there is no telling. they stay on vacation here as long as they want. :funn:

[Smiling JOe]

Perhaps I should re-phrase. For those of you who are locals, how long are these pests normally a problem after they first appear?Mostly, it depends on the weather. When we get winds out of the Gulf for a while, the jellyfish get pushed north and end up in our waters and on our beaches (our meaning where we are). The flip side is for the jellies to get pushed back out to sea, the winds need to come out of the north, which also brings the Dog Flies, hence someone's earlier post regarding which would you rather have, Man of Wars or Dog Flies. ;-)

[SHELLY]

hence someone's earlier post regarding which would you rather have, Man of Wars or Dog Flies. ;-)
.....or hailstorms, frogs, boils or locusts. ;-) (gotta keep up my reputation.)

[Mermaid]

.....or hailstorms, frogs, boils or locusts. ;-) (gotta keep up my reputation.)

SHELLY, I feel you are well on the way to becoming SoWal-corrupted like the rest of us. First those visits to the Lounge, now a self-deprecating sense of humor...what's the world coming to!:funn:

[Miss Kitty]

Any idea how long these critters will hang around? I'll be down in two weeks and really don't want to deal with this.

Just call Smiling JOe, the Beach Butler, before you arrive and he will rid the beach of anything unsightly for your vacationing pleasure!!!

[Smiling JOe]

Just call Smiling JOe, the Beach Butler, before you arrive and he will rid the beach of anything unsightly for your vacationing pleasure!!!...but I ain't cheap!

[jdarg]

Just call Smiling JOe, the Beach Butler, before you arrive and he will rid the beach of anything unsightly for your vacationing pleasure!!!

Miss Kitty is pimping you.:lolabove:

[Miss Kitty]

Miss Kitty is pimping you.:lolabove:

Another talent!!! I should enter a talent contest!!!

[jdarg]

Another talent!!! I should enter a talent contest!!!

Yo! Yo! Pimp Kitty!

[aquaticbiology]

uhm...'by the wind sailors' are usually the first of a floatilla from the little comb jellies to the 18" moon prop-benders - if the wind stays coming from offshore for a long time, then they come in, but right now they're out there, floating around somewhere offshore, probably among the sargassum weed, and getting bigger and bigger just waiting for the right wind to push them towards the beach

i love the ocean and all the marvelous life in it so it dosen't bother me one bit

the beaching of anything is the end of a wonderful journey

respect the journey the things on the beach have taken - you came there through choice, but they did not

[Beachlover2]

[QUOTE=aquaticbiology

i love the ocean and all the marvelous life in it so it dosen't bother me one bit

the beaching of anything is the end of a wonderful journey

respect the journey the things on the beach have taken - you came there through choice, but they did not[/QUOTE]


Sometimes I just love the things you say!!!!! This is one of the reason I love being out on the water (or under it) - it really puts things in perspective. :wub: :wub:

[kimbug]

If you like finding interesting things on the beach, try Seagrove Beach. Yesterday while on a short walk, I found a Nitrous Oxide canister, plastic shovel, pair of goggles, fishing line, beer cans, plastic tops, cigarette butts, straws, plastic sheething, some parts to something:idontno:, part of a styrofoam container, plenty of Velella Velella, Sargassum Grass, etc. I am sure that I am leaving out some things. I made four trips to the garbage can walking less than 1/4 mile. Next time I go to Seagrove, I will bring my gloves and Hefty garbage bag for my short walk on the beach.

I know what you mean....I was just visiting there last week (oh, wait, it's almost been 2 weeks now...time flies) and I picked up so much junk. I don't understand people at all. What's with the permanent beach camps???? :idontno: I 've heard y'all talk about them before on other threads but was still surprised when I saw them set up all over BMB. Why can't people pick up after their kids and themselves??? Very frustrating:bang: I went to the trash many times with straws, fruit snack wrappers, beer cans, etc...What the H???? I mean, have fun at the beach/vacation but for goodness sake pick up after your darn selves!!!!!!!

[Paula]

Sometimes I just love the things you say!!!!! This is one of the reason I love being out on the water (or under it) - it really puts things in perspective. :wub: :wub:

I also appreciate Aquaticbiology's perspective. I even bought one of the books I believe Aquaticbiology's recommended, even though it's not a book I would have bought otherwise. "The Sea Brings Forth" by Jack Rudloe is the book about a young self-taught specimen collector and what he learns about the ocean's creatures (I'm only at the beginning of the book). The book was published in 1968 and I got mine used through Amazon.com. Smells a bit musty but the book is good so far (I'm only on the first chapter).

[Beachlover2]

Thanks Paula - AB for the recommendation.

I will have to pick that book up. I just picked up a book about sailing last night that I am packing in the suitcase - fly out this afternoon for VPS - looking forward to a week of sun and fun.

[Paula]

Thanks Paula - AB for the recommendation.

I will have to pick that book up. I just picked up a book about sailing last night that I am packing in the suitcase - fly out this afternoon for VPS - looking forward to a week of sun and fun.

You're welcome. I liked the first few chapters (but haven't finished it yet). Somewhat of a rebel character who loves the ocean. Since I'm new to living at the beach, I'm trying to learn what I can! And I enjoy reading about people who make their living through the ocean/coast.