Thousands of Blue button jellyfish ( Porpita porpita ) washed ashore on a local beach today.  These beautiful animals have stinging cells called nematocysts.  They can cause skin irritation but generally are not a threat.

Blue button jellyfish

Blue button jellyfish 

Washed ashore

Button Jellyfish -Gobe 700

Button Jellyfish – Gobe 700

I collected a few specimens to photograph in the studio. I was curious to see if this animal would fluoresce under blue light. I used my underwater setup as my lighting studio.  I took a few photos using the Light & Motion Nightsea Blue light.

DTM -Studio setup

The round disc fluoresced bright orange under blue light.

fluorescence

Have a great day!