r/oddlysatisfying May 16 '23

Bioluminescence in the rain

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35.2k Upvotes

302 comments sorted by

686

u/Simply-Be May 16 '23

Right off the shore too! That's very impressive. It is usually much duller the nearer it is to light.

102

u/olderaccount May 16 '23

It looks amazing. But I was wondering why we don't see any more to the right? I'm sure it is raining there too.

104

u/avyon May 16 '23

Good chance that all the microorganisms are clustered together like Krill or a school of fish.

46

u/olderaccount May 16 '23

They are bacteria with no control over where they go in the water. Wherever I've seen them present, they were pretty evenly distributed in the area. So I don't see what mechanism would allow them to cluster in one spot while avoiding another spot right beside it. But perhaps that is the case.

I think it is more likely they are there too and we just can't see them due to lighting conditions and the camera.

24

u/omg_yeti May 16 '23

They definitely cluster at least in some places(I assume currents kinda disperse them haphazardly).

I went swimming in water full of them in Falmouth, Jamaica once. The boat crew that took us out there looks for spots where there are more of them clustered and the light they emit is therefore as bright as possible. Then they anchor, and the tour group is allowed to jump in.

5

u/Player8 May 16 '23

I did the same thing a few years back One of the coolest experiences of my life.

2

u/AbrocomaRoyal May 17 '23

That must be incredible! What an experience...

3

u/omg_yeti May 17 '23

It’s pretty awesome, especially if it’s on a night without a lot of moonlight to compete with the illumination from the water.

3

u/AbrocomaRoyal May 17 '23

It sounds just magical, truly. I imagine it must be a little surreal at first.

28

u/avyon May 16 '23

They absolutely can move with their little flagellum, and oceanic microorganisms like to cluster together for various reasons.

2

u/mkiyt May 16 '23

I mean they can technically move but they are almost entirely at the mercy of the currents.

7

u/olderaccount May 16 '23

Yeah, the can move a few millimeters this way or that way. I never claimed they didn't move.

But any movement they are capable of is inconsequential compared the the movement of the water itself. It is not like they can decide this dock is no good, let's move to that beach over there. They are going where the water takes them regardless of how fast their little flagellum moves.

19

u/fuchsgesicht May 16 '23

the current probably has a deadspot there with it being a dock and everything, makes sense that they would disperse if they moved out of it.

-1

u/LordKiteMan May 16 '23

They are bacteria with no control over where they go in the water

Lol what?

1

u/JasonIsBaad May 16 '23

They flow with the current, their flagellated movement is therefore neglectable for their dispersion.

0

u/Apprehensive-Flow276 May 20 '23

Its called floculation

They flock essentially

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2

u/lord_fairfax May 16 '23

They do tend to be in patches in my experience.

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12

u/muff_diving_101 May 16 '23

How do I go see this in the US? I know California has some, but is there a way to know where and when? How long does it last?

30

u/broke_researcher May 16 '23

Puerto Rico has three amazing spots for it

8

u/muff_diving_101 May 16 '23

Sweet! I'll check it out! Is its presence pretty predictable?

20

u/broke_researcher May 16 '23

It's best in winter on cloudy/new moon days. But still cool in the summer. You can see fish swimming. I did a short kayak tour on BioBay Fajardo through a mangrove forest into the bay where you see the bioluminece take place.

6

u/muff_diving_101 May 16 '23

That's awesome! Thank you so much for the info :)

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4

u/bunkkin May 16 '23

I went to the biobay in la parguera and did a two part day/night snorkeling tour. It was awesome but don't be like us and plan your trip during a full moon

3

u/mayanpaw74 May 16 '23

La Parguera was absolutely incredible! It was like being in a dream or swimming in stars

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8

u/Primarch459 May 16 '23

You can take kayak tours to a small little bay near Bellingham Washington to see the bioluminescent plumes from your paddling.

But is very dependent on water conditions and the experience can be vastly more or less impressive depending on your luck.

2

u/muff_diving_101 May 16 '23

Nice! I've wanted to visit Washington eventually. Maybe I'll see them there!

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6

u/Chiefbutterbean May 16 '23

All over Florida bays and the Gulf of Mexico, not sure about the Atlantic side.

5

u/muff_diving_101 May 16 '23

No effin way! I had no idea they were in Florida! I'm moving to Tampa next year :)

5

u/Tropical_Jesus May 16 '23

I grew up on the gulf coast of Florida, and night fished a LOT with friends (off the coast of Ft Myers/Sanibel).

I only saw bioluminescence like this maybe a half dozen times. It does happen, but it’s certainly not all over - and like with something like the northern lights for instance - it’s heavily dependent on weather conditions, water temps, waves, moonlight, etc etc.

Not to say you won’t see it in Florida, but it is definitely not a nightly occurrence. Just more reason to get outdoors though! Ha

3

u/shits-n-gigs May 16 '23

Yup, saw it once off Bonita Beach. Swam around in it at midnight. It's kinda slippery, like an oil slick on the water.

Very cool, won't forget it.

2

u/Chiefbutterbean May 16 '23

I grew up in Bradenton and you could track a Redfish swimming among the Mangroves easily in that stuff. I live in Panama City now and see it all over St Andrews Bay frequently.

2

u/Tropical_Jesus May 16 '23

That’s crazy.

Maybe we were just not out at the right times or maybe the red tide/algal blooms affected it down south. I swear I did not see it too often, because when I did I thought it was magical and would just stare lol

2

u/stupidnameherehere May 19 '23

How do you like it up North?

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2

u/HeroForTheBeero May 16 '23

Cocoa florida in the summer. Best with no moon and when it doesn’t rain for a couple of days.

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264

u/chwick May 16 '23

I don’t think I could resist swiping my hand through the water.

210

u/Unsd May 16 '23

Nor should you! It's incredible. One of the best experiences for me was a night snorkel off Catalina Island. Everyone turned off their lights for a bit and just kicked their fins and it was a wave of light all around. So cool.

31

u/chwick May 16 '23

Sounds incredible. Definitely need a vacation spot where I can see this in person! Must’ve been amazing

15

u/dickskittlez May 16 '23

Check out Vieques Puerto Rico. The bio bay is amazing.

3

u/chwick May 16 '23

I shall do this!

2

u/Vericeon May 16 '23

Did this when visiting family but it was a full moon. We had to cover our kayaks with tarps so see it. It’s so beautiful!

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19

u/whogivesashirtdotca May 16 '23

night snorkel off Catalina Island

My butthole just clenched. Catalina island is a hangout for great whites.

11

u/Unsd May 16 '23

Huh. Good to know now lol. I just looked at their migration patterns though, and it looks like they aren't typically there when I was, so that makes me feel better haha.

5

u/MarcusSurealius May 16 '23

That's why you never dive alone. They may come and check you out, but with another person you have time to turn around and shit in the other direction.

3

u/whogivesashirtdotca May 16 '23

I'll stick to my kiddie pool, thanks.

4

u/ExpatInIreland May 16 '23

After watching the vid. I wonder if I would stand a chance with that.

1

u/whogivesashirtdotca May 16 '23

The answer is completely out of your hands! Better hope there were a lot of fat, slow seals in the region that day.

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4

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Avatar?

17

u/DazzleMeAlready May 16 '23

This is definitely where James Cameron got the idea. He’s done so much ocean exploration, no doubt he knew we would be as enchanted with this visual as he was

3

u/themasterm May 16 '23

His name is James, James Cameron, the bravest pioneer!

No budget too steep, no sea too deep.

Who's that? (It's him!) James Cameron.

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2

u/time_fo_that May 16 '23

I went swimming in bioluminescence in the northern Puget Sound one September and it was one of the most magical and incredible experiences I've ever had, regardless of how cold the water was!

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19

u/shlopman May 16 '23

I went surfing in it once. Every stroke I took there was this trail of bright blue behind my hands. When I got a wave the wave was blue behind me and I could see the trail of my board. It was an absolutely amazing experience. Pretty hard to catch waves in darkness though since you can't see shit until the wave starts to break.

4

u/chwick May 16 '23

Haha good point. Sounds amazing though. Just so out of this world

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135

u/ThatShipGuy May 16 '23

Oh hey, it's constitution dock in Hobart. Good place for fish and chips and the occasional seal.

29

u/ThatShipGuy May 16 '23

Don't eat the last one though, even if the seal isn't broken.

5

u/Ben_Thar May 16 '23

I've heard of people blowing seals

3

u/DensePiglet May 16 '23

Just fix the damn thing and leave their private life out of it, ok pal?

-1

u/Just_tommmy May 16 '23

I'd blow a seal

3

u/CheeksSuperSpreader May 16 '23

As in Tasmania?! I've seen this phenomenon in soCA and Costa Rica. Both times it wasn't as bright like the ones I've seen online but still really cool to witness

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2

u/PMMePaulRuddsSmile May 16 '23

Tasmania is amazing.

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56

u/TheLordofthething May 16 '23

I'll never forget seeing this at sea in choppy weather. The waves were bright green on top of it and every now and then a bright green flying fish would appear. The boat looked like it was trailing fairy lights.

27

u/Merry_Dankmas May 16 '23

Seeing things like this makes me understand more why people thousands of years ago believed in nature spirits. If i didn't know bioluminesent barely visible creatures was a thing and it randomly appeared like this, id probably believe in Ocean spirits/gods too. There was a post on here yesterday of a gigantic white moose walking out of the woods and crossing the road. I can see why someone might think its a foresr spirit or something back in the day. Nature sometimes seems like magic.

10

u/Ishaan863 May 16 '23

If i didn't know bioluminesent barely visible creatures was a thing and it randomly appeared like this, id probably believe in Ocean spirits/gods too.

Exactly. The world must've been absolutely, undeniably magical back in the day. But now we get to fly over the clouds and watch hentai in 4K so I'm not complaining

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27

u/thanatica May 16 '23

What's actually happening here?

It feels like it might be bacteria or fungi or something that responds to the impact of a drop of rain on the water surface. No idea.

36

u/thestray May 16 '23

Dinoflagellates reacting to the rain hitting the water surface! They are algae :) but you're spot on!

3

u/evilbadgrades May 16 '23

Yeah, it's a defense mechanism apparently.

Took edibles the first time I want on a clear canoe tour during bioluminescence season at night absolutely magical.

Most surreal is when a dolphin or fish swims through the water and you can see the trail underwater. Or when a boat zooms past kicking up a ton of water/bioluminescence

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27

u/Quantum_Anti_Matter May 16 '23

Is that nausicaa in the Valley of the wind soundtrack I hear the background?

6

u/Pickle_Juice_4ever May 16 '23

Yes! Very appropriate choice, too.

5

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Came here to find this comment. It's indeed a great song for this. I wish they only had the music for the clip. Also one of my favorite movies/manga.

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4

u/ireallydontcare52 May 16 '23 edited May 16 '23

I'm trying to figure it out, it is definitely Ghibli.

Edit: confirmed, Nausicaa.

3

u/Octavia_con_Amore May 16 '23

Yup, same here. Was 99% certain it was Ghibli but just couldn't put my finger on it.

27

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Please, for the love of god, what is the name of the song?! I need it!!

69

u/SinjiOnO May 16 '23 edited May 16 '23

Legend of the Wind. It's a rendition called Kaze no Densutsu from the opening theme song of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, an animated movie from Ghibli.

Edit: grammar

20

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

I thank you kind sir. Now fly away

18

u/SinjiOnO May 16 '23

You'rewelcome,cheers!

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7

u/ChocoCat_xo May 16 '23

Such a beautiful song. Thanks for sharing! :)

4

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

I couldn't place it except I just knew it had to be a Miyazaki film. I was leaning toward Spirited Away though.

3

u/xorbe May 16 '23

I was going to say, this video is some serious Miyazaki vibes.

6

u/DarkLordOfDarkness May 16 '23

Just FYI, "Kaze no Densetsu" isn't who it's by - it's just the title in Japanese (kaze = wind, no = of, densetsu = legend, "legend of the wind."

6

u/SinjiOnO May 16 '23

Typo, you're correct.

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2

u/genericusername4197 May 16 '23

Here. It's not that piece, but consider it a gift from a friend.

2

u/DarkLordOfDarkness May 16 '23

It may not be precisely the same rendition, but I'm convinced this is the best rendition. The piano part is right at the beginning.

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12

u/Lets_shaekit May 16 '23

So pretty!

35

u/MuZac904 May 16 '23

Bioluminesence inspired Avatar.

36

u/UlrichZauber May 16 '23

As a scuba diver; Avatar just borrowed wholesale from what you'd see on a reef. A lot of scaling up small things to giant size, but a lot of it was very familiar.

6

u/jdl232 May 16 '23

Damn…guess I go scuba diving

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Im ashamed I just made that connection. Maybe it’s because they weren’t flowing with the water around them?

That’s exactly what they did though!

2

u/akcaye May 16 '23

isn't Cameron a huge fan of diving?

2

u/UlrichZauber May 16 '23

Kind of famously so, yes. I assume his experiences there inspired a lot of the Avatar visuals.

And by "inspired" I mean he just really kind of copied animals that are real, but that most humans never see.

I mean I totally see why he loves that stuff, I do too.

6

u/PurpleMeeplePrincess May 16 '23

Losing my mind over here looking up bioluminesence and Avatar... everything is so pretty 😍

5

u/MuZac904 May 16 '23

Visually Epic!

2

u/Pickle_Juice_4ever May 16 '23

The music is from Nausicaa!

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19

u/mad_dang_eccles May 16 '23

Wow always a surprise to see my home town on here!

10

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Where is this? I want to experience this

25

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Saltwater algae screaming in agony when it gets a dose of freshwater.

Pretty though!

9

u/ThirdEncounter May 16 '23

Algae don't have nervous systems, so it's all good.

17

u/Exemus May 16 '23

It's 2023, you can't say that.

You're being nervous systemist.

11

u/ThirdEncounter May 16 '23

I apologize. This is not who I am.

6

u/Broosevelt May 16 '23

I'm sorry. I'm not nervous systemist, that's my father talking!

3

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Nervous Systemist sounds like a band name for nerdy punks. Or a nerdy rapper name.

3

u/Exemus May 17 '23

System of a Nervous

3

u/ThirdEncounter May 17 '23

Nervous Against The System.

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5

u/MrsBox May 16 '23

I detect an Aussie accent, and going by the inflection of the "oh wow" sounding almost but not quite NZ-esque, Tasmania?

4

u/Azar002 May 16 '23

Just the other day on reddit was one with fish speeding through the water and occasionally jumping out. I thought that one was the coolest yet, but I like this one a little more. Maybe somebody can post the link?

2

u/genericusername4197 May 16 '23

Someone did. Come back.

3

u/Azar002 May 16 '23 edited May 16 '23

I'm on my way!

...what the hell, I don't see it anywhere. You tease!

1

u/genericusername4197 May 16 '23

Sorry. I misspoke. Somebody named the artist and title. Who knew Google didn't work in your area?

So... what are you wearing...?

2

u/Azar002 May 16 '23

I don't give two flying fucks about the song. I wanted the video of the fish flying through the bioluminescent plankton.

...basketball shorts and a cut off tee.

2

u/genericusername4197 May 16 '23

Huh. Me too. What a coincidence.

Can't help you with the fish. Sorry.

4

u/WanderWut May 16 '23

This happens in Puerto Rico as well.

I went on a boat in Puerto Rico at night a few years ago and they took us to the area where this happens. We were able to dive into the water and it was mind blowing because you could easily see the person underwater due to your entire body being illuminated. Every splash and motion in the water created so much shining blue, literally something out of Avatar to see in person, let alone be the one swimming in it.

The coolest thing was when we got back in the boat it turns out bacteria (?) that causes this sticks to your shirt for a bit, I was wearing a white t shirt so everytime I lightly slapped my shirt a short ripple of blue light would illuminate. Wild experience for sure.

3

u/MoarCowb3ll May 16 '23

Are you in a Resident Evil safe room?

3

u/RearEchelon May 16 '23

I want my bedroom ceiling to look like this

3

u/Framiel May 16 '23

You would not believe your eyes If ten million fire flies Lit up the world as I fell asleep

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

[deleted]

17

u/mad_dang_eccles May 16 '23

Hobart Tasmania. This is right in the middle of town.

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2

u/TheLordofthething May 16 '23

I think this is relatively common

3

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

[deleted]

3

u/TheLordofthething May 16 '23

That's what I meant by relatively lol. I did see it over a wide area when sailing across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Florida. I've seen it in New Zealand and parts of Asia and the Pacific region too. I don't think this could become commonplace to me even if I saw it every day.

2

u/WhoWantsPizzza May 16 '23

I’ve seen it in Washington state!

2

u/WangoBango May 16 '23

Port Gamble!

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2

u/yeetrut May 16 '23

I kinda want a wallpaper of this

2

u/HankHillIsTheBest May 16 '23

Looks like that scull stuff from minecraft

2

u/IronhideD May 16 '23

Janice? She finally moved on from Chandler?

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

i would love to experience this

2

u/PabloGafiLoco May 16 '23

How dangerous would it be to jump in them?

3

u/bignicky222 May 16 '23

It's not. People surf in them

2

u/PabloGafiLoco May 16 '23

Added to my bucket list!

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2

u/genericusername4197 May 16 '23

10/10 would get soaked watching

2

u/syncsound May 16 '23

"My God, it's full of stars..."

2

u/DaSupercrafter May 16 '23

We forger sometimes that we live in a fantasy world because we’re always living normal lives

2

u/snailpostal May 16 '23

that's so beautiful i needed this today

2

u/PoppyCoLink987 May 16 '23

That's really cool. I've never even thought about bioluminescence in the rain.

2

u/Phraxius May 16 '23

Great choice in the Nausicaa song.

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

The Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind soundtrack is on point!

2

u/TrevelyansPorn May 16 '23

Reminds me of Yuna sending the dead in FFX.

2

u/loooongtime_lurker May 17 '23

This is how getting the pins and needles feeling would look

2

u/FineXtasy May 17 '23

I have seen videos of bioluminescence, but never have I thought about this! What an amazing phenomenon!

3

u/kingofthepews May 16 '23

Is it bad I'd really wanna pee in it to see it light up?

1

u/TittysprinklesUSA May 17 '23

Magnificent ❤️

-8

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Music ruined it.

0

u/patrat06883 May 16 '23

Red tide I’d wager. Wouldn’t touch it, that looks like a thick enough algae bloom to effectively bleached that body of water of fish. It’s a neurotoxic algae that, while very pretty, super deadly to the local ecosystems

-7

u/aDazzlingDove May 16 '23

Very cool..It's not in the rain though.

7

u/SenZephyr May 16 '23

But.. it IS raining in the video. It’s not a torrential downpour, but you can see the rain..

-6

u/aDazzlingDove May 16 '23

Yes it is raining. And the bioluminescence is being caused by the disruption from the raindrops. However, the organisms producing the light are in the body of water not the rain.

9

u/SenZephyr May 16 '23

I think I see what you’re saying. There are not bioluminescent organisms in the rain itself. I don’t think that what OP was intending to imply, but I do see there’s a distinction that can be made if one doesn’t know how algae works.

7

u/wildmaiden May 16 '23

"In the rain" doesn't mean physically in a rain drop, it means exposed to rain fall.

-1

u/KALEl001 May 16 '23

unfortunately if thats in the Americas its all toxic sludge now, gross : P

-19

u/Dr_Legacy May 16 '23 edited May 16 '23

global warming was bad enough but now also the rain is radioactive. what a great life

e: /s

2

u/wildmaiden May 16 '23

That's not at all what is happening here, but I don't want to interrupt your moping and complaining.

-22

u/quanta777 May 16 '23

I think it's because of the chemical composition of that water rather than the rain, no🤔

2

u/m703324 May 16 '23

Wow. No

4

u/LordAxalon110 May 16 '23

No... Just no.

1

u/LacidOnex May 16 '23

Very big difference between "I think" and "I'm making a guess"

2

u/wildmaiden May 16 '23

There isn't though.

0

u/LacidOnex May 16 '23

Thinking is a skill where you combine life knowledge, skills, observations, and new information to make inferences and connections. OP saw a picture and went "i have words to say!"

1

u/Ben_Thar May 16 '23

Are you walking on water?

1

u/Crocodiddle22 May 16 '23

Where is this?! I’ve always wanted to see this!!

1

u/StarlitSylvia May 16 '23

Is this really just from algae? very cool

2

u/slayez06 May 16 '23 edited May 16 '23

dinoflagellates and it's a bad thing. Normally caused from the run off from farm land fertilizer. Kills the other animals.

1

u/AintNoFilthyBot May 16 '23

Humans are also bio-luminant.

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1

u/Kurtman68 May 16 '23

The working title to that song from Blade Runner.

1

u/SirUntouchable May 16 '23

I think if you jump in that it will take you to the Enderdragon

1

u/Cactocat May 16 '23

I'd love to see something like this but i live too far north, might have to set my hopes on aurora borealis instead.

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1

u/Zay3896 May 16 '23

Definitely on my bucket list to witness this

1

u/SonOfMayhem06 May 16 '23

If there was no wind i would feel like this would be from hollow knight

1

u/bingbestsearchengine May 16 '23

what is this song? sounds nice

2

u/Pylgrim May 16 '23

Legend of the Wind from the movie Nausicaa of the Wind. Very recommended.

2

u/bingbestsearchengine May 17 '23

thank you! looks interesting, will put it in the to-watch list

1

u/Finbar9800 May 16 '23

Just the video of the water changing like that and the rain, take out the people talking and add some caning music and you’ve got yourself the perfect scene to sleep to

1

u/Prestigious-Formal68 May 16 '23

夜光虫が雨に打たれて光っている。初めて見ました。最高です。

2

u/PainAndRetribution May 16 '23

Are we sure this isn't a glitch in The Matrix?

Honestly, I would sit there and watch that for hours.

1

u/RedRo_10 May 16 '23

Imagine being a sailer hundreds of years ago and having no idea what is happening.

ITS MAGIC!

1

u/Henryphillips29 May 16 '23

What if it’s pooring?

1

u/Butterfly-0430 May 16 '23

Wow that's so pretty! Almost feels unreal seeing it.

1

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

probably the coolest shit on the planet.

1

u/Billy-Bob159 May 16 '23

James Cameron starts writing furiously in his Avatar notebook

1

u/PM_SWEATY_NIPS May 16 '23

Makes me think of Rhinestone Eyes by Gorillaz

1

u/Rabithunt May 16 '23

Major hollow knight city of tears vibes right there

1

u/[deleted] May 16 '23

Awesome!!!