Logan Graham Photo

05/07/2025

Test

05/07/2025

“Blue Jelly”

1/19/25 —

1: A comb jelly adrift in the deep blue pacific ocean; a surprise find on my first dive w/

We embarked to find blue sharks a few miles off the San Diego coast, and that we did. Floating at the surface of the saturated blue water, I scanned the depths & noticed what looked to be a lone jellyfish about 30 ft below.

With the current slowly taking it away from the boat, I knew this was probably a one dive opportunity. A few minute breathe up to increase my odds of a good shot & down I went.

Coming within feet of the little creature, I was mesmerized by what I saw. The animal was almost completely transluscent & lit up with the full rainbow, pulsating the entire spectrum of colors around the white elongated rings (combs). I had never seen anything like it before & knew this wasn’t a regular jellyfish.

I circled the (what I now know as) comb jelly a couple times. Their combs are made up of thousands of cilia that beat in a synchronized manner. This propels them through the water & produces a shimmering, rainbow-like effect as light refracts off the combs.

The sun’s rays made for nice backlighting in the shot as well - creating a sort of beautiful oceanic chanelier, if you will.

05/07/2025