Lion's Mane Jellyfish, Sunflower, and Peregrine at St. Andrews

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Hi Art,
I just thought I'd send a photo of the latest, and unfortunately late, Pagan Point salt marsh visitor. A small lions mane jellyfish. It showed up on Sunday, Oct. 4. It's about 18" diameter. They can apparently grow to 6 feet, but that would be in your domain of knowledge.

It's also the time of year for sunflowers. I was on the porch this week and was looking at my one large one that faces the street. They are as beautiful from the back as the front.

Also, if folks are keeping track, there was a female peregrine flying over the marsh on Friday, Oct. 2.

Steve

From Lesley on the water at West Isles, Aug.17

There were 2 fins just off the back of White Island near the Light...as well as several minkes....also a pod of porpoises and lots of fish...and half way between St. Andrews and L'Etete there was a large jellyfish bloom that turned the surface all white..( this I heard about ...the rest I saw ) .

My comment. They had better watch out for the aquaculture pesticide treatments. All this will vanish. Joyce

Editors Comment: The jellyfish is likely the Moon Jellyfish, Aurelia aurita. It is normal for there to be large numbers in Passamaquoddy Bay and West Isles during the summer, although they have been reduced in recent years. Their apparent return is a good sign since they are food or provide food for sunfish (Mola mola), Leatherback turtles and seabirds. They will all die by late fall and overwinter as tiny scyphistoma. I'll tell you all about these later. They're really cool. Art

Photo Credit: wikipedia.com

What is it? Campobello, August 1st

This washed up on the lighthouse beach. New to me, what is it?  Joyce

This is Boltenia ovifera, the Sea Potato. They are plankton feeders and, as you would guess, Head Harbour Passage is filled with them. They form veritable gardens on the rocky bottom; particularly off the lighthouse and on Green island Shoal.

Art