
Literally thousands of By-the-wind sailors (Velella velella) washed ashore on Pensacola Beach yesterday morning. I had commitments earlier in the day and they were drying out by the time I arrived to take some photos. But, thanks to Sean Rogan, a friend who works at the Hilton, I was able to document this ususual event where so many were in the water and on the beach.

Let's hope the gulls think of all these sting-free By-the-wind sailors as a seafood buffet, otherwise it could get a bit stinky in another day.