Photo of the Day (6.20.09)


Love ’em or hate ’em, jellyfish are some of the most photogenic underwater creatures around. I’ve heard so many interesting tales about jellyfish that it’s no wonder we continue to be absolutely astounded by these transparent floaters. My friend once videotaped he and his friends swimming through a patch of jellyfish to an island off the coast of China, but when they came ashore they discovered the island was a high-security military base. They were forcefully interrogated, and the tape was destroyed.

While these creatures are a real treat to observe, as MadMurdoch shows us in this photo that was taken somewhere in Asia, they can actually be quite a nuisance for people in the water. Here in Hawaii, we experience potent box jellyfish outbreaks on the south shore a week after a full moon, which prevent swimmers from entering the water for a few days every month. On the east side, Portuguese man of war are so prevalent that peeing on your friend is a pretty common occurrence.

Still, the beauty of these jellyfish cannot be denied. I love how the bulbs of the jellyfish are bobbing every which direction as well as how clear the ocean is here.

If you have some great travel shots you’d like to share, be sure to upload them to the Gadling pool on Flickr. We might just pick one as our Photo of the Day!

Photo of the Day (10.12.08)

My fellow bloggers have a been on a Photo of the Day nature kick this past week, so I figured I would keep up the theme. This Sunday’s nature shot comes to us from Flickr user ben.rulesalot, who noticed these two serene specimens on his trip to the Georgia Aquarium.

As much as any photographer might be tempted to crowd the frame of their shot with as much detail as possible, I happen to like Ben’s approach here. Sometimes, “simple is better.” And even though there are no humans in this photo, there’s definitely an interesting “interaction” occurring between these two jellyfish that creates a story for the viewer to decipher. Jellyfish in love? Jellyfish protecting their turf? I’ll leave it to you to decide…

Have any jellyfish photos you want to share with our readers? Or maybe some tasty seafood jambalaya? Why not add them to our Gadling pool on Flickr? We might just pick it as our Photo of the Day.

Jellyfish to plague Spain this summer

Of all the various creatures invading the coast of Spain (including pensioners from Northern Europe), jellyfish are perhaps the least welcome. For a bunch of brainless little, made-up-mostly-of-water suckers, they could be a real pain (the jellyfish, not the pensioners).

The Guardian reports that in November, scientists at the Barcelona-based Institute of Marine Sciences began studying the life cycles of jellyfish off the Costa Brava, and detected large numbers of the Pelagia noctiluca, also known as the “mauve stinger”, growing in the winter, ready for an assault on Spain’s beaches in the summer.

Back in 2006, 21,000 people had been stung on the beaches of Catalonia, while on a single day in August, 400 bathers were treated at a beach in Málaga. The causes of the jellyfish problem are apparently over-fishing and global warming. Here we go again.

In a Jam with the Jellies

As the weather begins to get a little less wintery we are already beginning to discuss our summer trips. A beach trip is always a favorite. Laying on the shore with a bit of swimming and relaxation are just what’s needed after a long, cold winter. But there are a few hazards that can ruin a good trip to a dive spot or beach — best to start thinking about them now, so if there is a problem, you’ll be ready to deal with it.

One of my most favorite quotes on the subject of bites and stings actually comes from WC Fields. “Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake.”

Jelly Fish are beautiful creatures to watch swim and some of the most interesting marine life. They can also cause a lot of pain and problems if you get stung. Jellyfish sting with their tentacles that contain thousands of nematocysts. Thus, a single creature can produce many, many stings.

The first priority, for a jellyfish sting victim, is to make sure they are still breathing properly and not having a severe allergic reaction. Burning at the site, numbness, nausea and swelling are all common reactions. A topical decontaminant is what is next. Get those stingers to stop causing problems! The nematocysts can generally be ‘de-activated” with a solution of vinegar, rubbing alcohol or baking soda, poured over the wound. This will also help relieve the pain. Papain, found in meat tenderizer may also be helpful. Removal of the stingers can be aided by shaving the area, with a sharp razor and shaving cream. A local antibiotic/antiseptic cream can now be applied, with or without a low dose steroid cream. For those who just have to adventure in known jellyfish areas, a StingerSuit might be a good consideration. Oh, save the pee for the bathroom as it has not been proven to be of benefit and it is kind of gross.

There are a few famous jellies to know about. First is Chironex Fleckerii (Box Jellyfish), from Australia. This sting can be fatal to humans and extreme caution should be taken in waters where they live. The other bad-guy is Irukandji (Carukia Barnesi), also from Australia. This jelly is only about the size of a large coin and very deadly. Swimmers can often miss seeing them, until it is too close by to avoid.

Make sure to pay attention to life-guards and warning signs for the beaches you are visiting. The best advice is to avoid areas with abundance of jellyfish and head to another beach that is safer.

Swimming side by side with sharks

The first time I saw one of these in Australia, I found it very strange. People swim in the ocean, yet separated by a wall of concrete or at least a net. Children are covered head to toe in nylon suits, and most adults don’t even go into the water. What’s going on here?

One sunny day, I asked the lifeguard why nobody was at the beach. “We have seen a couple of crocs here last night. It’s hatching season,” he said. Yeah, that pretty much satisfied me as a good enough reason. The following week nobody was at the beach because “there were too many poisonous jelly fish”. A week later, “shark sightings.” Clearly, with all their picturesque beaches, Australia is not a country for your typical beach lover.

Needless to say, I grew to appreciate their “pools inside the ocean.” No chlorine, and a safe distance from the crocs, jellyfish and sharks. The New York Times travel section has a piece about them today.