Sargasso Weed,
Sargassum natans gathers in large mats in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Storms breaks up these mats and they then drift via currents all over the Atlantic. Little gas floats allow this brown algae (
Phaeophyta) to ride atop the waves in the open ocean.You REALLY need to see this one at full-resolution:
www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/7068343447/sizes/o/in/pho... ...to appreciate the hydroids covering almost the entire surface of this algae.
