A Strange Creature
When the Dickinson kids found the strange pink blob, they instantly wanted to touch it, but their parents wouldn't allow it. They had no idea what that thing could be, so they didn't want to take any chances. They did, however, take pictures of it in order to send it to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.
They would surely know whether this was a normal occurrence or whether it was a never-before-seen creature. The institute found out that it was actually the largest species of jellyfish known to mankind: the lion's mane jellyfish. The parents were glad their children didn't touch it, because they carry dangerous toxins in their tentacles.