The Seaside Aquarium reports westerly winds have brought velellas back to the beach, but not in huge numbers so far.

Velella velella, commonly known as purple sails or by-the-wind sailors are described as slimy, iridescent blue discs.

Purple sails have a clear “sail” that catches the wind and pushes them across the ocean’s surface. When the wind blows from the west, the velellas get stranded on the beach.

Once washed ashore, they either become food for a variety of beach-dwelling creature or dray into the translucent “sails” on the beach.

The purple sails do not sting their prey; they capture their food with small sticky tentacles. Velellas feed on fish eggs and small planktonic copepods.

Found in most oceans, purple sails are frequent visitors to the Oregon Coast. They can reach a size of 4 inches in length and 3 inches in width.