Recently, thousands of Velella velellas, also known as by-the-wind sailors, washed onto Southern California beaches, particularly around Oxnard and the Channel Islands Harbor. These creatures are not jellyfish but colonies of polyps, similar to the Portuguese man-of-war; however, their stinging cells pose minimal harm to humans. Captivating locals, the bright blue blobs attracted interest from scientists and beachgoers. They've been seen as far north as Canada. Environmental experts note that they float across the ocean using sails, although they don't control their movement, being completely at the mercy of the wind.
"That is a lot of velella," a Facebook user commented, indicating the sheer volume of these creatures that washed ashore, captivating local residents.
"It is part of the wonder of our beach," Sean Anderson, an environmental scientist, remarked on the fascinating phenomenon of Velella velellas appearing on Southern California shores.
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