PHOTOS: Nontoxic red drift algae showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida

A leaf is seen floating above red drift algae as it accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

A snowy egret feeds off of red drift algae as it accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.

Red drift algae accumulates at Bowdtich Point on the north end of Fort Myers Beach on Monday, April, 8, 2019. The nontoxic smelly algae is showing up in patches throughout Southwest Florida. Some water quality scientists say that the algae is fed by higher nutrient levels from runoff and other issues.