Velella velella washed ashore on sand

Description:

Description: English: By-the-wind sailor, Velella velella, washed ashore on sand Raised transparent "sail" on a blue oval disk that has concentric circles. Rest of body underneath is dark blue. Short fringing tentacles hang from the disc. Float up to 4 cm across. By-the-wind sailors float near the surface of the ocean with their tentacles hanging below in the water. Their movement is powered by the wind hitting the sail. Each batch of young has some animals with a right-hand sail and some with a left-hand sail, ensuring that they don't all get blown in the one direction at the same time. Date: 2019. Source: Museums Victoria Australia. Author: Photographer: Robin Wilson.