Friday, March 16, 2007

Natural inspiration




The first picture is that of a pen shell. Pens are 'grabbers', rather than diggers or burrowers in the mud. Their small, weak foot spins out bunches of strong "byssus" threads (now there's a Scrabble word for you!) into the muck. These latch on to buried shells and rocks. So tough are these strands that Roman emperors once had them spun into fine clothes. Pens bury pointy end downward. They are 6-8".

The second picture is of the new Arthur Ravenel bridge in Charleston, SC.

And as an issue of housekeeping, and wanting to keep my readers properly educated on the wonders of the coast...I've had to make a correction to the post from yesterday. So don't go trying to impress your friends at your next dinner party, until you've read the correction.

7 comments:

Scrivener said...

I especially like the bottom picture, though I guess it poses the question, given your title, of what a "natural" inspiration might be. In any case, it's got great lines to it. I love how you've captured the second suspesion tower between the lines of the one in the foreground. And the radiating lines down toward the viewpoint.

Unknown said...

You've really got something here with the two together. I agree with Scrivener on how you captured the suspension bridge. Wonder how many chots you took to get it so perfectly sized to match the macro.

Great shots.

Sandie said...

That second shot is really amazing. I like the way the colors int he first one shimmer.

Jeff Reeder said...

This reminds me of Edward Weston's Equivalence series. I believe it was a series. I wasn't able to google much on it, but it might be interesting to explore.

Jeff Reeder said...

Oh, thanks for the wildlife update.

Dancingirl said...

From small to large... Love these two together. It's all a matter of perspective...

Katrina said...

Very cool shot of the bridge, and the shell is beautiful. Thanks for the biology lesson. :)