Red Tide in Carlsbad - bioluminescent phytoplankton

Sorry - it's hard to see, especially on a bright computer screen...my little point-and-shoot camera just doesn't to it justice.

Sept 27th, 2011 - one of the thicker/heavier red tides in the last couple decades, combined with a new moon, makes for great red tide at night!

The red tide is caused by an algae bloom which is triggered when the water begins to warm up (say around the mid 60's) and then all of a sudden we have a few windy days with upwelling (where the water is churned up and colder deeper water rises to the surface), and the resulting cold water, which holds more nutrients, sets off a red tide bloom.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• redtide
• red
• tide
• Carlsbad
• beach
• bioluminescence
• waves

[TexasBirdGirl]

Wow, I miss that place! Thank you for sharing.

[larushka1]

You did better than me. I couldn't get any decent shots!

[TheDanzTeacher]

If you looking for more bioluminescence tides check out a great upload by LoghanCall called Red Tide 2011 - amazing