Sunday 28 February 2010

Macro Monday Mystery


So, what do you think made these tiny little sand balls, each with a diameter of approximately 0.5cm? Here is a secondo shot, from further away, to give you the bigger picture. These tracks and sand balls were found on a beach in the Galapagos.


I might regret posting this one, and I might be getting some irate comments from such bloggers as Baino, who seem to be getting a little frustrated with posts such as this and the weekly Macro Monday puzzle from Jay, over at the Depp Effect. But, to be honest, I am in New Orleans right now and so I have other things to do - did you know that you can get "gentlemen" to give you a string of beads if you show them your boobs on Bourbon Street. Well, I didn't, and trust me, I will not be getting any beads tonight! But I can hardly sit in my room all night composing blog posts, can I?

For more Macro Monday posts, go here.

Oh, and I guess that I should tell you that I don't actually know what made the sand balls. I have my suspicions, but I am really hoping that one of you bright sparks out there can actually tell me. So, please don't get upset when I can't give you the answer on Tuesday. You have been warned.

19 comments:

Johnny Nutcase said...

Ha! this made me laugh, good post. I dunno about the cute little tracks...might make me crazy though! I'll have to think about that one! cool photos of them though!

Sistertex said...

I don't know...a little creepy. ;) A pooping bug with a bum leg?

I have NO idea.

Sistertex said...

OH....how about a turtle?

Anonymous said...

A critter with tires? Just kidding. Neat shots and I haven't a clue.

Jama said...

I've seen the sand balls but never with the tracks.....

Regina said...

Great one!

Gattina said...

I saw Lisa's post and your comment so I came here to compare your sandballs, lol ! We have them too here at the belgian beach and they are made by tiny (very tiny) little crabs.

SquirrelQueen said...

I just read Gattina's post so I know what it is but I just wanted to say it makes a great macro.

Kala said...

I can never figure these photos out, but I'm not irate about it!

Colleen said...

I'm glad Gattina cleared that up. I had no idea what they were. Love the picture!

Amanda said...

Grew up near a beach myself and these balls are made by sand crabs tunneling in the sand. Great pics!

jay said...

Ooops, is Baino getting upset with us? LOL! Poor Baino. Tee hee!

I was going to say it must be a turtle, making her way up the beach to lay her eggs, but if you don't know, that seems unlikely. So I'm going to have to do what many of my own commenters do and say 'I haven't a clue'!

Hoist with my own petard! ;)

Cortes said...

Little tracks that look like a push and pull action. I'll go with a small crab of some sort as well.

Kim, USA said...

What the heck I don't even know what is a sand ball so doesn't matter at all. What I see is a very beautiful shot that people wonder what is that? LOL!

Blinded by the Light

Baino said...

Aww don't pick on me now. I did last week's. No idea but I think the crabby thingy might get a guernsy. I'm betting it's not your everyday Blue Swimmer tho. Enjoy New Orleans! I'd want more than a string of beads to get my girls out in the fresh air I can tell you!

Unknown said...

Hmm, a snake? Something slithery I'm thinking.

Andree said...

I keep thinking turtles but I really have no idea. It is frustrating, but fun!

Moon said...

You made them... obviously

Don't Bug Me! said...

Hi All! I seem to have been a little remiss in answering these commments. Sorry - got stuck in Houston whilst trying to get back to Vancouver. Anyhoo, to all who said that they thought it was a crab that made these tracks, I suspect that you are correct. What I really want to know is what kind of crab and what it is actually doing to make the scrape mark and then the sand ball. All very curious.......