Strong spring winds can sometimes drive By-the-wind-Sailors, or Velella velella, onto local beaches. DeDe Plaisted found a group of these animals mixed with Kelp that had also been tossed up on the beach. They are a vibrant blue which tells us they had very recently been stranded.

They have a small sail that catches the wind and blows them over the surface of the sea. Under certain wind conditions, they may be stranded on the beach, as DeDe found out recently. Mother Nature gave these animals an edge - about half of them have the sail tilted in one direction, and the rest have it tilted in the opposite direction. This way, some are driven out to sea where they can survive, while others sometimes perish on the beach.

Thanks to DeDe for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

There is no wind today at my place and it's warm and toasty.