10.24.2008

bioluminescent dinoflagellates

A big name for this microscopic miracle of nature.
October 20, 9:00 PM, Fajardo, Puerto Rico: Along with a dozen others, Ryan and I paddled a kayak out across a breezy saltwater bay, toward a dark, Mangrove-lined passage. With nothing but glow sticks on boats in front of us to mark the way, we followed single-file behind the tour guide through a narrow, winding canal. At first there was nothing remarkable about it — except that we did get a good laugh out of how remarkably bad some couples were at paddling a kayak.

But gradually, as we maneuvered along and it got darker and darker, you noticed the water. At first, the glow was barely visible, like your eyes were playing tricks on you. But twenty minutes later, as we approached "Laguna Grande," every time the paddle hit the water, it was as if a giant, silent, blue firework exploded under the surface. When the water is disturbed — whether by a fish or a human hand — a few thousand of these bioluminescent plankton light up like the Fourth of July. It was incredible... something Walt Disney could have dreamed up... except it was so much better, because it was real.
[I couldn't bring my camera because by the end the trip we were soaked. I've patched together a few visuals, courtesy of Google and YouTube, but unfortunately they don't do it justice.]
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