California

What are those mysterious blue lights in Morro Bay?

By Robert Rodriguez
Bioluminescent phytoplankton light up the waves blue in Morro Bay in 2017.
Bioluminescent phytoplankton light up the waves blue in Morro Bay in 2017. Adam Joseph Photography

The waves in Morro Bay are glowing blue. And no, it isn’t a toxic spill.

The eerie blue-green color is caused by the presence of bioluminescent phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum.

These tiny organisms give off a light in response to stress, such as a wave crashing or any other movement in the water, according to Mother Nature Network.

The result is a weird blueish-green light that you can see with the naked eye at night. Photographers using long exposure techniques have captured the incredible scene just north of Morro Rock.

Adam Joseph Trovao’s photos were used by San Luis Obispo television station KSBY in a report about the Morro Bay blue lights.

According to KSBY, photographer Adam Meinke could also see a dull blue glow from shore this week. The glow was strongest at low tide and very late at night.

Here are a few other shots of the blue lights.

 

My go-to wide angle lens literally (and inexplicably) fell apart in my hands while I was shooting sunrise in San Francisco last week. With client work scheduled for the following Monday in my hometown, I reached out to @borrowlenses on short notice, who quickly and conveniently rented me a lens so that I could follow through with my scheduled shoot as well as make a few shots for fun while back on home turf. After three years of using their services, I’ve gotta say that I’m continuously impressed with not only their streamlined efficiency and ease-of-use in terms of renting and returning gear, but their selection as well - they seem to have everything! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• About this shot: Feeling a Little Blue // Morro Rock framed by the setting moon and the astonishing and mesmerizing phenomenon of bioluminescence, which is the "production and emission of light by living organisms; most commonly fish, bacteria and jellies." Not sure which species to thank for this show (I’m told it’s likely a certain type of plankton), but it was a big first for me and one I’ll not soon forget. #ShotwithBL @borrowlenses ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Shot alongside the @viceglass ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• www.luketyreephotography.com www.borrowlenses.com

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Robert Rodriguez: 559-441-6327, @FresnoBeeBob

This story was originally published September 29, 2017 at 12:38 PM with the headline "What are those mysterious blue lights in Morro Bay?."

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