Cyanobacteria Pea Soup
Pea soup? Nope, just the recent look of the water in Lake Erie off the Kelley's Island. In recent years, the annual algae bloom normally started in late August but this year portions of the entire western basin has huge green oil slicks. The algae bloom is not really algae but is really cyanobacteria, which is commonly referred to as "blue-green algae, although it is not true algae. The increase in the cyanobacteria blooms are caused by excess nutrients (phorphorus or nitrogen), sunlight, low-water or low flow conditions, warmer temperatures, and low salinity. Over fertilizing farm fields in northwest Ohio and global warming is combining to make the annual problem much worse.
On a lighter note, Connie finds time to relax while we're anchored off the north side of Kelley's Island. Earlier in the day, Connie, Ally and I sailed/motored to Middle Bass Island. The wind was light and variable most of the day, thus requiring the use of Therapy's Yanmar diesel engine... much to my regret. After spending the afternoon swimming off the stern, we motored over to Kelley's to spend the night. The following morning, the wind picked up again to about 10 knots, allowing for a good sail albeit a short sail. Soon the wind petered out and we were back on the diesel.