One day in early August this year, Lorne and I took Tegan to Deas Island Park near our home in Ladner, BC. There was a spot where I had seen dogs swimming in one of the Fraser River's tributaries, so we thought we'd check it out. The tide was a bit out so the beach part was quite muddy. That didn't deter Tegan one little bit and off she bounced right into the water.
Between throwing sticks and stones for her to capture, I took some photos of the area. I kept looking down in order not to sink and noticed something peculiar lying in the wet, muddy beach.
Several of them, donut-shaped, were in various stages of decay and covered in thin, slimy mud. Upon closer inspection, I thought they seemed jelly-like but without any extremities. They were actually quite creepy looking, but I took some photos so I could check on the internet later.
It turns out they were dead
jellyfish. I've seen pictures of
jellyfish in the ocean or in an aquarium and they are always very fascinating to watch as they float and glide through the water. However, upon researching them, I found out that there are several varieties and they don't live very long. At first, I thought these might be "moon
jellyfish" but apparently they can be 40 cm in diameter and all the ones I saw were smaller than that. So I pushed on and found another variety called "compass
jellyfish" which are about 30 cm in diameter. That seemed more likely to be the variety. I also checked to see if they are found in my area and they are. But beware - even when dead, they can pack a mighty sting!
I think I prefer to watch
jellyfish in the aquarium as they float beautifully in the clear water. They're far more appealing than the ones I found decaying on the river's edge.
Thanks to Roger, our administrator, for his
jolly good work in keeping ABC Wednesday a very popular place to visit each week. Also, thanks to the
joyful Denise Nesbitt who created ABC Wednesday many years ago and the
jocular group of helpers who
jaunt over to the contributors to see what they have
journaled for us all.
You're rigt - those aquarium jelly are MUCH more interesting looking, though usually more dangerous!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
You are right jellyfish are fascinating. When I was 12 years old I travelled from Singapore to England on board the SS Nieuw Amsterdam. I often wandereed on the sundeck and watched the sea. One day I saw beautifully coloured jellyfish, which were very big.I cannot find the English name for them, but we called the Portuguese warships. They were dangerous, but we saw them from the deck of a ship.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit.
Wil, ABCW Team.
Unfortunately I've seen and been stung by the interesting looking ones and it's no fun. The best think for jellyfish stings is meat tenderizer. I don't know why it works but as a child my parents used it on my jellyfish stings and it does provide relief.
ReplyDeleteI love jellyfish as long a they aren't stinging me.
ReplyDeleteAn Arkie's Musings
Calling by from ABC Wednesday,a fascinating post for J.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that one could get stung by a dead jellyfish.
ReplyDeleteSeveral members of my family were stung by jellyfish when we were on a cruise. Not a fun experience...getting stung...not the cruise (:0)
Interesting exploration. I had not seen a dead jellyfish before.
ReplyDeletei've seen a dead jellyfish that got washed out in the beach, it looked nothing like that muddied donut. that is scary looking though. did you poke it?
ReplyDeleteI've seen lots of jellyfish but never one like that. You are right so much nicer watching in an aquarium. How interesting that the Dutch name Reader Wil mentions is so similar to the English name, Portuguese Man O'War, I remember watching those as a teenager floating in numbers under the sea bridge. Not something to tangle with.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful jellyfish and fun photos! Be careful ...!
ReplyDeleteOne never knows what's going to turn up on the beach, but I suppose dead jellyfish are not all that unusual.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't think of jellyfish dying and ending up on the beach. They are beautiful swimming in the ocean for sure.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Stinging even when dead? Thanks for saying that. I'd be careful.
ReplyDeleteHazel
Love to see them, but not when I want to go for a swim... I haven't seen dead ones!
ReplyDeleteJ is for...
Great post for letter "J".
ReplyDeleteI have actually stepped on a beached jellyfish and yes indeed even the dead ones are full of sting!
Glad Teagan didn't get stung while romping.
That dead one does look creepy
ReplyDeleteRegards
Our post for ABC Wednesday
Exploring the Jungles of Gir Forest National Park
Quite a difference between the living and the dead!
ReplyDeletemy daughter-in-law was stung by a jellyfish- not an experience I'd want to have. even though I know they have a circular appearance, I'd never have imagined their looking like a donut!
ReplyDeleteIn Zeeland (Netherlands) where I grew up I was stung several times by smaller jelly fish -not pleasant!
ReplyDeleteSorry you had no choice in the matter of where to go (and when) in Cingue Terre. Another reason for me to avoid group tours - even though it's probably more expensive to go on one's own.