Tag By the Wind Sailors

Deep Dives

Today’s Marine Science Rabbit Hole: Velella velellas

A Velella velella resting in the palm of my pale palm. The base is oval shape and deep blue base. Standing up from the base is its half-circle “sail” with pointed peak at the center. Its base is has radiating circles moving out from the center, below this is a deep blue edge that appears slightly fluffy or ruffled.

I finally got to see Velella velellas in the wild! In April I went whale watching three times in three days (it was awesome) and saw them on two of the trips. I even got to hold one! These small…

Kate Pennington
May 4, 2025

Trip Reports

Whale Watching x 3 – Day 3, Monterey, CA, 2025

Monterey Bay Whale Watch, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA Boat: the Blackfin with Captain John Sightings: 5 Fin whales, 45 Humpback whales, 12 Risso’s dolphins, some Velella velellas Monterey Bay Whale Watch website MBWW has three vessels ranging in size from…

Kate Pennington
April 18, 2025