Bioluminescent Plankton Bloom, Anglesey

            After many attempts the past month I finally managed to see this magical natural phenomena with my own eyes along the North Wales coast this week, one which has held a fascination with me for years. 
Arriving early to the beach I noticed quite a large enthusiastic group gathering in anticipation despite the high tide. As the skies darkened and the Milky Way began to appear it seemed that there were faint Sea Sparkles just beyond the lighthouse, albeit too far to experience up close. The faint glow disappeared into the distance and eventually the beach fell silent as it dawned on me I was on my own(!) Turning back to the car at 2am I realised the tide had receded a little, allowing a bright slick of plankton to wash up along the bay..YES! Walking along the shoreline disturbing the plankton with every step felt like I was in the movie 'Avatar'..truly an experience worth all the sleepless nights and many miles travelled - another bucket list item ticked.

The mesmerising phenomenon, also known as 'sea sparkle' or Noctiluca scintillans, is caused by bioluminescent microscopic creatures which produce a blue light when disturbed. Bioluminescent plankton are tiny organisms which produce light using a chemical called luciferin.
The glow, which occurs when they are disturbed by waves or currents, is used as a defence mechanism to draw predators towards the creature trying to eat the plankton.
While it is usually been spotted in warm coastal waters, like those in the Maldives and Tasmania, they are also known to appear in parts of South Wales during the summer months.

© Ben Stacey All Rights Reserved - Any use, reproduction or distribution of this image without my explicit permission is strictly prohibited.
   

Taken on: August 4, 2019

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