Photographer: Derek Demeter

Summary Authors: Derek Demeter; Jim Foster



One night this summer, a group of friends and I enjoyed a paddle in the Mosquito Lagoon of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Our paddling disturbed dinoflagellates in the lagoon prompting them to emit this beautiful blue light -- bioluminescence. In some cases bioluminescence is a means to attract prey but it's also used to discourage would-be predators. Seeing this cool, blue light beneath a starry night is truly an amazing experience. Photo taken at approximately 3:00 a.m. on July 26, 2015.



Photo Details: Canon 6D camera; 4 mm lens; at f/2.8; ISO 3200; 30 second exposure.







