Bioluminescent Ocean Light Show

November 10, 2010, 8:58 am 10 Nov 2010 Saltmotion.com.au

Occasionally the ocean throws us a pretty spectacular display...and last night was no exception at Freshwater Beach, on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

Ocean

Just before dark, surf photographer Joel Coleman from Saltmotion noticed a large patch of sea that had turned a muddy reddish colour.

He whipped out the camera, and punched out some pretty spectacular photos:

What caused this Red Tide?

This ‘red tide’ was a mass of dinoflagellates, a micro-organism that under the right conditions will emit a blue glow when agitated, such as when a wave breaks.

This Bioluminescence is caused by a luciferase enzyme similar but not related to the enzymes in fireflies.

...and to answer some of your questions:

1. Yes, the photograph, like all photographs from saltmotion are for sale! There are various sizes, framing styles and options to choose from allowing for different budgets.

2. Joel was working with a Canon 5D mk II with at 24 - 70 f2.8 lens, on a tripod.

3. The camera settings for all images are:

Image 1 - ISO 100, 32sec at f5.0 70mm lens, Canon 5DMK II
Image 2 - ISO 100, 50sec at f2.8, 70mm lens, Canon 5DMK II
Shorey Squelch - ISO 320, 1/2500 at f7.1 with a 14mm fisheye lens, canon 5D MKII inside an Aquatech water housing

Want more?
For more spectacular surf pics and news from Saltmotion, subscribe to the daily e-newsletter. It'll get your day off to bright start!

Show:

45 Comments

Post your comment

0 0
JohnC11:31pm Wednesday 10th November 2010 ESTReport Abuse
Why call it "red tide" when it's blue????
Reply
0 0
Phil10:20pm Wednesday 10th November 2010 ESTReport Abuse
Hey if those Dinoflagellates are glowing blue why is it called a 'red tide". Looks pretty blue to me. Probably the photographer is a redhead called bluey ha ha! Worlds gone made ey.
Reply
0 0
Doona, or Danarama09:19pm Wednesday 10th November 2010 ESTReport Abuse
oh its so pretty... I went on a sailing boat trip when I was younger and one night saw a bunch of 5 or so dolphins swimming full on near the front of boat, it was pitch black night withs stars and the dolphins were glowing that pretty blue glowy colour. I was mesmerized...
Reply
0 0
brian i08:45pm Wednesday 10th November 2010 ESTReport Abuse
Would this probably be as fantastic as the Aurora lights in the Canadian skies, I wonder?
Reply
0 0
MR06:28pm Wednesday 10th November 2010 ESTReport Abuse
Great Pics. The effect is probably enhanced by all the Aluminium particles coming to ground from the CHEMTRAIL SPRAYING, going on daily in the skies over our great land. Yes people, like silver metallic paint reflecting light. Just look at the silvered out skies and sun / moon now, LOOK UP AND LEARN
Reply