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My 10 Fairy-Like Pics Show The Presence Of Sea Sparkle On The Dutch Coast
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My 10 Fairy-Like Pics Show The Presence Of Sea Sparkle On The Dutch Coast

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Once upon a time, I was walking on a tropical beach on a pitch black night, with only the faint white of the surf.

Suddenly, with every step, this white appeared bluer and bluer. The usually white foam had turned into an electric blue line; it looked as if the starry sky swirled down! Never ever had I seen anything like it. Was it dangerous, poisonous, alien? All I knew that it was totally magical. A few days later, after I had returned from my vacation, I learned that it was a – quite rare- phenomenon called sea sparkle (Noctiluca scintillans). A so-called bioluminescent alga that lights up when disturbed. A rather boring description for this wonderful little miracle. The nicknames ‘sea ghost’ or ‘fire of sea’ do much more justice to it. To put it shortly: an addiction was born and together with my photographer-boyfriend, who shares this enthusiasm, we decided to start our blue mission and go to catch that sparkle on film!

This was easier said than done, as the presence of sea sparkle is very unpredictable. And as we had to drive quite a while to get there, we spent a lot of time traveling and waiting…just to watch a bunch of boring blackness and to return with an empty memory card. It took us no less than three summers before we finally felt we caught the essence of sea sparkle.

On another long and cold night on a deserted beach, my boyfriend had enough of it and suggested it was almost morning and we really should leave now. But then… I saw a sparkle! Just one sparkle of hope.

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“Yeah right, a sparkle in your head” “No, I’m serious! I really saw a sparkle! And when there’s one, there must be more…”

Indeed; this one sparkle appeared to be the announcement of thousands, millions of sparkles that all together created the most fantastic light show ever! We were standing there, in the midst of this swirling blue mass, having the time of our lives. Even the fishes had turned blue and it felt like one huge alien party and…we were invited! In the meantime, our fascination has not diminished at all. On the contrary; it only tastes like more and we are ready for a long, hot, sparkling summer!

More info: roeselienraimond.com | Instagram | Facebook | nilspoldervaart.com | Instagram | Facebook

Me at the beach, capturing the magical blue.

Nils at the beach, happy with the presence of so much sea sparkle.

Two rare phenomena in one frame: sea sparkle and nocturnal light clouds!

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Sea sparkle is triggered by movement so when you splash, swim or throw some sand, it is activated.

Magical blue sea in the dark night.

Slow shutter speed works best to show this phenomenon.

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In my country, it is very hard to find a completely dark place. Light pollution is almost everywhere. Here we chose to show a combination of the magic in the sea and the sleeping, unaware city.

The camera shows a yellowish sky, but in reality, we were standing at a pitch black beach. The only visible thing was the blue sea sparkle.

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Standing in the midst of this fantastic light show.

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Roeselien Raimond

Roeselien Raimond

Author, Community member

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Self employed photographer, editor and author and interviewer (a.o. for Natuurfotografie Magazine). Specialized in fox photography, but with a love for (almost) anything that breaths.

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Roeselien Raimond

Roeselien Raimond

Author, Community member

Self employed photographer, editor and author and interviewer (a.o. for Natuurfotografie Magazine). Specialized in fox photography, but with a love for (almost) anything that breaths.

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karasi_mills_1 avatar
Karasi Mills
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are phenomenal! Do you sell prints? I'd love one of these on my wall!

lisagaray123 avatar
Foxyloxylou
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so for those wondering about the magical glow: those are small bioluminescent plankton that rest on the surface of the waves. they turn that pretty blue when disturbed to scare away potential predators

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, that's what I wrote indeed:' 'A so-called bioluminescent alga that lights up when disturbed. '

Load More Replies...
circular-motion avatar
Mer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow - gorgeous shots!! Your patience really paid off very nicely!

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for your enthusiasm... And yes, a lot of patience was required, but it all paid of eventually...:D

Load More Replies...
doug-g-thomas avatar
Doug Thomas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sister-in-law lives in a small community just south of Brookings, Oregon. Growing up, she said, she and her cousins would wade into this stuff and get them coated to the knees. They'd then walk around in the dark scaring superstitious locals. At least that's what the "superstitious locals" would have the children believe! LOL!

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, thanks for sharing this story. As an adult, I was deeply impressed by this phenomenon. I can only imagine how special this must have been as a child!

Load More Replies...
karasi_mills_1 avatar
Karasi Mills
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, so these pics don't appear to be for sale on either of the websites. So- is there a way I can buy a digital copy and get it printed on canvas? So stunning!!!

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are right... I can make them available as prints. Thanks for your interest and enthusiasm...:)

Load More Replies...
critcho avatar
Scott Critchley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen bioluminescence a few times, tried to photograph it once and got nothing. What kit / aperture / ISO / exposure are you using please?

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It isn't easy indeed. The photos are made with different cameras and lenses: Nikon D750 with a Nikon 16-35 f4 lens / Nikon 24-70 2.8 lens and Canon 5D MK III with a Canon 17-40 F4. We used a relatively low ISO, something between 400-1600. Aperture: as wide as possible. Shutterspeed: around 15-20 seconds.

Load More Replies...
sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are all excellent, I am sure I haven't seen such spectacular night scenes, looking at the beauty as well as feeling the peace of the night at the same time, fabulous !!!

jackiemarsh avatar
LadyMarsh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're stunning pictures, I really love the contrast between the blue glow and the sky.

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for your kind compliment. I loved that as well, these opposite colors together...:)

Load More Replies...
kcanded avatar
KCN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too bad it wouldn't be possible to get a view from a drone....

charlielmorris530 avatar
Charlotte Morris
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I hate to debunk the magic but what you are seeing is Bioluminescent Algae. It "glows" with agitation. Its actually fascinating! I recommend learning more

karasi_mills_1 avatar
Karasi Mills
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are phenomenal! Do you sell prints? I'd love one of these on my wall!

lisagaray123 avatar
Foxyloxylou
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so for those wondering about the magical glow: those are small bioluminescent plankton that rest on the surface of the waves. they turn that pretty blue when disturbed to scare away potential predators

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, that's what I wrote indeed:' 'A so-called bioluminescent alga that lights up when disturbed. '

Load More Replies...
circular-motion avatar
Mer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow - gorgeous shots!! Your patience really paid off very nicely!

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for your enthusiasm... And yes, a lot of patience was required, but it all paid of eventually...:D

Load More Replies...
doug-g-thomas avatar
Doug Thomas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sister-in-law lives in a small community just south of Brookings, Oregon. Growing up, she said, she and her cousins would wade into this stuff and get them coated to the knees. They'd then walk around in the dark scaring superstitious locals. At least that's what the "superstitious locals" would have the children believe! LOL!

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, thanks for sharing this story. As an adult, I was deeply impressed by this phenomenon. I can only imagine how special this must have been as a child!

Load More Replies...
karasi_mills_1 avatar
Karasi Mills
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, so these pics don't appear to be for sale on either of the websites. So- is there a way I can buy a digital copy and get it printed on canvas? So stunning!!!

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are right... I can make them available as prints. Thanks for your interest and enthusiasm...:)

Load More Replies...
critcho avatar
Scott Critchley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen bioluminescence a few times, tried to photograph it once and got nothing. What kit / aperture / ISO / exposure are you using please?

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It isn't easy indeed. The photos are made with different cameras and lenses: Nikon D750 with a Nikon 16-35 f4 lens / Nikon 24-70 2.8 lens and Canon 5D MK III with a Canon 17-40 F4. We used a relatively low ISO, something between 400-1600. Aperture: as wide as possible. Shutterspeed: around 15-20 seconds.

Load More Replies...
sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are all excellent, I am sure I haven't seen such spectacular night scenes, looking at the beauty as well as feeling the peace of the night at the same time, fabulous !!!

jackiemarsh avatar
LadyMarsh
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're stunning pictures, I really love the contrast between the blue glow and the sky.

roeselienraimond avatar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thanks for your kind compliment. I loved that as well, these opposite colors together...:)

Load More Replies...
kcanded avatar
KCN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too bad it wouldn't be possible to get a view from a drone....

charlielmorris530 avatar
Charlotte Morris
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I hate to debunk the magic but what you are seeing is Bioluminescent Algae. It "glows" with agitation. Its actually fascinating! I recommend learning more

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