When NESTer Lynn P finished her ATV run this morning she thought perhaps the ATV had been attached by pink slime. Huh? This stuff was also tough to rinse off! what was it????
The KDH ATV with pink slime
A closer look at the evidence
A quick text to NEST Science Advisor, Karen Clark, led to the answer…Naked Sea Butterflies. Of course!
The naked sea butterfly
The Outer Banks has recently experienced strong west winds and upwelling ocean side leading to cooler waters with near shore water temps occasionally diving into the high 50’s. Cold water creatures like naked sea butterflies came with the cold water and were washed on shore. Once the water warms up we hope to see more sea turtles and the butterflies will disappear.