Usually when Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) looses its footing it floats around in the ocean for a while starving for light (the blades hang down, rather than dragged out in the current), and looses most of the ribbons before it finds shore. This particular example washed up shortly after loosing its footing. I love how you can make something so uninteresting interesting. I have been enjoying looking at it to try and understand how you have communicated its beauty so well. Linda Murphy Friday, January 19th, 2007 at 20:14:04

Camera:	Nikon F100
Date:	Wednesday, September 3rd, 2003
Film:	Fuji Velvia 50 (slide)
Lens:	28-70mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor
Photographer:	John Harvey
Scientific Name:	species related to Nereocystis luetkeana (Bull Kelp)
Tag:	beach
Larger Image:	2000 x 1334
Raw Image:	3760 x 2507