Every Thing Has A Purpose

   Late yesterday afternoon, I headed to the pier to check Son's progress on the repairs.  My gardening was finished for the day so I was ready to help him.  He assured me that I was not needed at the moment so, I sat and watched.  I think he was happier without me getting in the way.  While watching, I noticed jellyfish bobbing around in the water.  Oh, my!  I was sure glad I thought to bring the camera!  So, I plopped down on my stomach to see if I could get a decent picture.  It took a while because, as slow as they are, the jellies have a unique way of slowly sinking at the most inopportune time.  It took about twenty shots before I was satisfied.  Plus, dearie jelly decided to move out of sight.

  These are some of the jellies that have the long tentacles that will sting if touched.  We always were taught to call them sea nettles.  This was a small white one but usually we have pink ones mixed with the bunch.  Some of those are as large as a saucer with two feet of tentacles.  You really do not want to mess with those!  Catching one in the net is quite bothersome!

  As I watched the jellyfish, I pondered their use.  I know that they are a food source for things like sea turtles and that they also provide protection for certain small fish that are immune to the stings but what other purpose do they have?  That was research for the day! 

  I finally found a marine study website that talked of the jellyfish and their ability to help cleanse the waters.  Son had mentioned this a couple of years ago but I never thought much about it.  According to this study, the jellyfish appear to show promise in helping clear oil spills.  It was quite technical but, somehow, the jellyfish help the bacteria that eats the crude.  So, by encouraging an jellyfish "bloom", the residue that sinks after a spill could be cleared more rapidly. (I am assuming that I understood it correctly).  The same site stated that a bloom of jellyfish in shallow water seems to occur after heavy rains so it was thought that fresh water encourages a bloom.  (Yep, bloom.)

  So, with all of that new info in my brain, I feel quite certain that the lovely creature bobbing around under the pier was doing a grand job of clearing up our water...hopefully.  The bayou seems to be really muddy lately as you can tell by the photo.  Carry on, Jelly, carry on!