Bioluminescence has returned to Jervis Bay.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Local photographer Dannie Connolly captured the natural phenomenon on Friday night.
She started at Shark Net Beach, Huskisson and waited patiently for the daylight to fade.
"By the time it got darker lots had arrived to see the magical blue sparkles," Dannie said.
"I love seeing the joy in people's faces when they see the sparkles and the kids that run through it with joy bouncing from them, it warms the soul."
The town lights in Huskisson were interfering with the quality of the photos, and so she moved on to Moona Moona Creek where the bioluminescence could be seen from the beach.
She had no luck at Collingwood or Orion Beaches.
"Pulled up at Barfleur Beach and from the car park I could see the whole beach glowing," Dannie said.
"I was all smiles, grabbing gear and running for the beach setup and started shooting.
"Truly amazing to see."
With big swells hitting the South Coast on Monday, the bioluminescence has moved.
It is understood there was some residual bioluminescence at Myola and Callala on Monday.
Local surfers and anglers have reported bioluminescence appears locally every couple of years. One fisherman said he had seen the red tides all of his life, but reported it began to make a more regular appearance since around 1985.
Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre manager Kerryn Wood said the algal bloom was "bioluminescent dinoflagellate".
Red tides are large concentrations of microorganisms known as dinoflagellates. Some glow in the dark and brighten when agitated by boats or even migrating whales.
"It's from the warming temperatures and the rain," Ms Wood said.
"Algae generally require a mix of light, high nutrients and warm water to bloom."
