Sand patterns at Rhossili April 2010 (4)

As the wet sand of the ripples dries out, the colour begins to change. Beginning at the fine edge facing the wind, the sand becomes increasingly paler so that the ridge of the ripple looks striped. The effect is enhanced by a certain stratification of the sediments into white shelly, yellow, and black iron-stained particles. Every tide seems to leave a new range of sand ripple patterns on the beach at Rhossili, Gower. This is the fourth in a series of photographs of the sand designs recorded over four days in early April 2010.