Critters in the Ocean

[82Rigger]

This time of year, our local "beach folks" start putting out our beach flags on a daily basis.

The flags tell people about current swimming conditions.

Locals are usually knowledgeable enough to pay heed to the flags.

Tourists generally ignore them, or don't know what they are.






The flags we had flying today were green and purple.

Purple is for the presence of dangerous marine animals.

Here where I live that usually means either sharks or jellyfish.

Today it was jellyfish...Portugese Man of War.



From the water's surface they are iridescent blue. purple, and pink.

Children are attracted to them...they look like a small pretty inflatable beach toy.



Beneath the surface are up to thirty feet of stinging tentacles.



At the very least, the stings are quite painful if you brush against the tentacles.

If you should happen to get tangled up with those tentacles, anaphylactic shock is common with possible paralysis and drowning.

This eight year old boy was lucky...he just brushed against one..



I just wish people would find out a little about the ocean BEFORE they get IN it.

And I wish they would teach their kids.

With the Portugese Man of War, it seems like it's mostly the little kids that pay the price....because it's pretty.

[Arrow]

I knew there was a reason I'd rather watch the ocean than swim in it.

Nasty little critters...Sis

[39mto39g]

You know what a water skier is in the ocean. Bait.

Ron

[82Rigger]

Ron,

You know, I never thought of it like that before.

If you're a shark, a skier is sort of a tasty treat on the end of a string.

[b3196]

I thought my exwife's breast implants got loose