Flexibility in the field is something I pride myself on.  I shoot what the landscape tells me to shoot.  No plan’s so set in stone that I won’t pivot and take advantage of natural gifts in my path.  And on this evening, it was Cannonball Jellyfish.  

I walked past the first half dozen or so on my way out to the East Ashley end of Folly Beach near Charleston, South Carolina.  I wanted to get to the barrier island beach fronting Morris Island Lighthouse around sunset.  Of course, I was loosely thinking “grand landscape.”  Instead, here were all of these strangely beautiful, UFO-like Cannonball Jellyfish just screaming for attention.  They were literally the most relevant aspect of the landscape on this particular evening on Folly Beach.

I stood with my back to the ocean and the east, allowing the last light of evening to warm the scene.  Receding waves from the Atlantic Ocean provided the motion and movement for the frame.

Apparently, southern states have a thriving export market for Cannonball Jellyfish.  These odd creatures are considered food delicacies in asian countries.  Shrimp trawlers often turn to Cannonball Jellyfish when out of their primary fishing seasons.  It’s said that Cannonball Jellyfish can make up just under 20% of all biomass in the ocean off the southeastern coasts in summer and fall. 

Camera:  Nikon D810
Lens:  Nikkor 60mm micro f2.8 @ 60mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  March 22, 2019
Settings:  f16, 1/13 second, iso-50