 |
 |
Thousands of Jellyfish Strand on North Oregon Coast |
|---|
Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
10/30/08
Secrets of the Season |
Thousands of Jellyfish Strand on North Oregon Coast
 |
| Moon jelly photos by Seaside Aquarium |
(Gearhart, Oregon) - There are hundreds, perhaps even thousands of them in a 15-mile stretch of Oregon beach. Last week, hordes of moon jellies hit the north Oregon coast, between Gearhart and Warrenton.
'There was one every four feet," said Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium. "They were all big, about four feet across. It looked like a beach full of pancakes."
Chandler said the surf got enormous on Saturday, bringing in the monster numbers of moon jellyfish (technically known as aurelia aurita). Chandler and aquarium staff drove the beaches of the area on Monday and saw tons of them between Gearhart and the wreck of the Peter Iredale, which is around Warrenton.
They did not see them as far south as Seaside, however.
 |
| Moon jelly photos by Seaside Aquarium |
Why they showed up suddenly in such abundance, and why they landed in that area is a mystery. “There was probably just a bunch of them out there when the sea pushed them in,” Chandler said.
Chandler said such strandings aren’t that unusual, as the ocean is simply a very dynamic place. Purple Sails – or velella velella – show up en masse all the time in the spring.
What happens next is also just another natural occurrence: they’ll simply dry up and sink into the sand.
Chandler doesn’t expect the beach to become thick with the fishy smell of decaying sea life, as when the velella velella hit the shores in the millions.
 |
| Moon jelly photos by Seaside Aquarium |
“There aren’t enough of them to make a big smell,” Chandler said. “Not like the purple sails, which are in the millions and are miles long on the beaches.”
The aurelia aurita is one of about ten jellyfish that are very similar, and it’s often hard to tell them apart from each other.
Moon jellies are translucent, and with their limited movement capabilities only drift with the currents. They feed by stinging small plankton and mollusks with prickly little tentacles, then moving the their food into their body for digestion. They also feed on crustaceans, tunicate larvae, protozoans, diatoms, fish eggs and other similarly small organisms.
 |
| Wreck of the Peter Iredale |
Moon jellies do not have breathing organs such as gills or lungs, but instead diffuse oxygen from water through a thin membrane.
They are essentially found all over the Earth’s oceans, but mostly in the upper hemisphere, living in temperatures that are typical of the oceans off the western U.S. and Pacific Northwest.
The Seaside Aquarium has had them on display in the past, said Chandler, but not at this time.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
RELATED STORIES
[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed [404].
Oregon Coast Whales - Guide to Whale Watching; Whale News, Blog
Oregon Coast Whales - Guide to Whale Watching. Gray whales, killer whales minke whales, orcas and more. Whale news and sightings from Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats and Florence. Oregon Coast Whale Blog.
Video: On and Off Run of Humpbacks Has North Oregon Coast in Awe
Humpback whales have been spotted in heavy numbers for the last month or two around the north coast. Kids, science, Seaside Aquarium, Astoria
Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - A Massive List
Find dozens of beach rentals in Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats, Florence
N Oregon Coast's Manzanita, Wheeler, Nehalem and Rockaway Beach Offer Lodging...
Fall brings more specials to the area. Keep checking here as these are updated
Latest Lodging Specials, Deals from Cannon Beach, N. Oregon Coast
Who's offering a free night? Discounts? Lower prices and deals in Oct, Nov
Staying in Pacific City, Tierra Del Mar or Oceanside? Lodging Deals Emerge
Specials and discounts along the Three Capes Route, N. Oregon Coast
Lincoln City Lodgings, Central Oregon Coast: Latest Deals, Specials
Keep checking this page for excellent deals on places to stay in Lincoln City hotels, motels, vacation rentals
Lincoln City Oregon Coast Lodging Updates
Now with news updates for Lincoln City lodgings, attractions, beaches
Complete List of Lodgings, Motels, Hotels and Vacation Rentals in Manzanita, ...
Places to stay in Wheeler, Manzanita, Nehalem, Rockaway Beach - and nearby. On the ocean, pets, kitchens, groups
