Ephemera - natural history of the Oregon coast

Ephemera

“Something transitory; lasting a day”

Last updated 12/21/2009


			Nettled Sea nettle jellies on Nye Beach Newport, Oregon 31 January 2009
Walking a half-mile stretch of Nye Beach on a lovely Saturday morning, I counted over 1500 sea nettle jellies (Chrysaora fuscescens), 4" diameter or less, washed up on the beach. They were at two different levels on the beach, marking the last two high tides (+7.6' at 2:34 p.m. on yesterday, and +8.6' at 3:17 a.m. this morning). Because I alternated walking the two swash lines, the actual number of jellies stranded could have been twice my count. The jellies lower on the beach were in much better condition than the upper ones. Since the morning low tide was the higher one, I surmise it must have pushed jellies left on yesterday afternoon’s high tide up the beach, then dropped the fresher ones sometime on the receding tide.

	A line of sea nettle jellies stretching off into the distance. This is the lower line of jellies, in much fresher condition than the upper jellies. It stretches off into the distance.			The reddest sea nettle I think I've ever seen washed up on Nye Beach. Once of the fresh ones lower down the beach.

		Sea nettles as they appear in life, swimming in a tank at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.