At biobabbler’s urging, I’m participating in a 30(ish)-day photo challenge (supposedly leading up to xmas, but I don’t think that’s going to happen—New Year’s, maybe).
The first day’s challenge is a self-portrait, and here’s my attempt:
No, I didn’t do this just to keep most of me obscured. On the contrary, I think it’s the way most of my friends—especially on shorelines—see me, as I lead with my hand and whatever organism I’m pointing out (“Do you see the hole bored in this moon-snail shell?” “Look at this skate egg case!” “Oooh, I think this is a land-snail shell! Did you know all land snails are simultaneous hermaphrodites?”).
The shell in this photo is indeed a lobed moon-snail shell, and the beveled drill hole is the mark of cannibalism: another moon snail scraped away at this one’s shell (also secreting acid all the while to help in the shell’s breakdown), then liquefied the animal within and sucked it up.
Isn’t nature beautiful?
The first day’s challenge is a self-portrait, and here’s my attempt:
No, I didn’t do this just to keep most of me obscured. On the contrary, I think it’s the way most of my friends—especially on shorelines—see me, as I lead with my hand and whatever organism I’m pointing out (“Do you see the hole bored in this moon-snail shell?” “Look at this skate egg case!” “Oooh, I think this is a land-snail shell! Did you know all land snails are simultaneous hermaphrodites?”).
The shell in this photo is indeed a lobed moon-snail shell, and the beveled drill hole is the mark of cannibalism: another moon snail scraped away at this one’s shell (also secreting acid all the while to help in the shell’s breakdown), then liquefied the animal within and sucked it up.
Isn’t nature beautiful?
{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}
2 comments:
Nature is beautiful and so are you. Lovely picture. Can't wait to see the others.
Wow, NICE! =) Leave it to you to post a self-portrait that teaches folks not only about you, but some freaky-cool bio thing. Fabulous. Sounds like a word that's been frequently applied to me also suits you: enthusiastic. =) BioNerds Unite! SO psyched you're doing this. Consider my Christmas gift DONE. =) xo
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