While guests were exploring the ruins of a monastic cloister dating back to the 11th century on the small island of Selje off the coast of Norway, I did some exploration of the surrounding turquoise waters. Immediately surrounding me upon submergence were gelatinous pulsating forms…those of a smack of jelly fish.One seldom gets the chance to film themselves filming one of these beautiful creatures but today was one of those days. This jellyfish known as the “moon jelly” (Aurelia aurita) is composed of a gelatinous substance called mesoglea which is a characteristic of all jellies. Often clay colored eggs can be seen along with their characteristic horseshoe-shaped ovaries and circle of short stinging tentacles. A passenger of the currents, wind, tides, and waves, the moon jelly pulses its disk in a rhythmic beat hoping for a chance encounter with its prey. Fisherman have reported rowing through congregations of moon jellies so thick that it felt as if they were rowing through marmalade.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 06 Jul 2001
From the Endeavour in Norway, 7/6/2001, National Geographic Endeavour
- Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour
- Arctic
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