When NOT to Frolic in the Sea

Maybe when Bluebottle Stingers  are in the water! We went on a  short hike one day and had planned to freshen up after the walk with a dip in the ocean, until we saw these stingers washed up along the high tide line. The tide was on it's way out, so we figured that they were freshly beached, and didn't take the plunge.

Also known as Portugese Man of War, they are kind of beautiful. In a scary way.

Bluebottles have  long, stinging tentacles that can wrap around you and leave nasty welts, and it appears that there is never just one Bluebottle.