The "by-the-wind sailors" (velella) sea creatures are washing up along the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington, attracting both beachgoers and scientists alike. The creatures are known for their vivid, bluish purple color and their sparkling "sails" that shine like diamonds on the ocean's surface. They often come ashore along the Pacific Coast in spring when offshore winds shift, and recent aggregations have been particularly dense along the California coast. This opportunity for citizen scientists to contribute to research and predictability of these events. The velella can be found around the globe, but are usually seen off the U.S. Pacific Coast and in the Mediterranean. Scientists are working to create low-cost sensors to monitor these creatures' movements.