When, by chance, the sand grains on Rhossili beach are ill-sorted by the sea, the shore retains water in the sandy interstices as the tide recedes. Expanses of seashore can, for this reason, be covered by a thin surface film of seawater. The wind, blowing across these most shallow of ponds, disturbs the water and creates ripples. Swirling gusts of wind push the water in all directions – the ripples travelling in one direction are soon met by ripples from another direction. The result is a natural mosaic-like reticulated pattern of ripples – natural abstract works of art. These photographs of the reticulation phenomenon have been digitally enhanced to introduced a new, brighter colour scheme that brings out the details of the patterns.
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