I've seen phosphorus light up the water in Cape San Blas (Bay side) when paddles push through the water, turning the water Lightning-Bug Hyper Green. However, until last night, I've never seen anything of the likes in South Walton. Went to the beach last night around 830pm, at Grayton. The stars were incredible, as the Moon had not yet appeared. Looking down at the sand where the water was washing on shore, we noticed what looked like stars, shining on the sand, but it wasn't reflections. Whatever it was, was glowing in the dark, like stars on the beach. I thought at first, maybe it is little sea shells which are full of phosphorus, because the glow lasted only for a second or two, before it seemingly disappeared under the sand. I trapped one glow in the dark spec, and examined it under the light. It looked like a very very tiny white fleck. I removed it from the light and it was still glowing green. I'm guessing the waves produced enough friction that the little flecks would glow, but when the wave went back out, the glowing stopped. Does anyone have a better idea of what we saw last night? Ever seen this here? It was magical.
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35Beach Fanatic
beautiful
when the phospherence is evident, it is beautiful to let the waves wash over you. The glowing clings to your hair and body. Magical...It may be a plankton bloom of some kind
when the phospherence is evident, it is beautiful to let the waves wash over you. The glowing clings to your hair and body. Magical...It may be a plankton bloom of some kind
Beach Comber
One time we were walking on a sandbar by Eastern Lake and our foot prints lit up! We have always noticed if you rub the "wet sand" the "stars" appear but that was exceptional. A few weeks ago when we were there all around Eastern Lake, there were 1" little clear colorless jelly animals that glowed.
Beach Fanatic
One time we were walking on a sandbar by Eastern Lake and our foot prints lit up! We have always noticed if you rub the "wet sand" the "stars" appear but that was exceptional. A few weeks ago when we were there all around Eastern Lake, there were 1" little clear colorless jelly animals that glowed.
Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).
SoWal Insider
Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).
Could you get a glow in the dark sting?
Beach Fanatic
Could you get a glow in the dark sting?
Ctenophores don't sting. When I was taking classes one summer on Dauphin Island, one guy made a girl mad and her and her friends collected a bunch of them and put them in his bed. It was quite a little excitement when he crawled in bed after going out drinking. 
SoWal Insider
Got pics?Beach Fanatic
Nope, it was many years ago, but he watched his actions after that. By the way, IT WAS NOT ME!
Beach Fanatic
Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).Watch where you stick your fingers!
Beach Fanatic
Watch where you stick your fingers!
I knew I could count on you!
Beach Fanatic
Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).
I saw hundreds of these washing up one night in late June or early July in the Eastern Lake area. You can see them flashing in the surf washing up, then they fade into the wet sand. They are kind of like the surf's version of lightning bugs.
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