Shapes in the Sand at Rhossili

So organic-looking were these sand shapes that it seemed as if some alien force had taken over the beach sediments and re-formed them, grain by grain, into a growing living monstrous being. A cascade of overlapping pseudopodia looked sometimes like naively-conceived humanoid body-parts – arms, legs, fingers, or other appendages – whilst other areas mimicked faces.

6 Replies to “Shapes in the Sand at Rhossili”

Michael Karpaty says:

December 21, 2012 at 4:01 pm

How strange. Have you come across this before Jessica?

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Angelina Reese says:

December 21, 2012 at 7:17 pm

These would make lovely abstracts! Thanks for sharing.

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winderjssc says:

December 22, 2012 at 7:26 am

No, I had never seen anything like it before or since.

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winderjssc says:

December 22, 2012 at 7:29 am

Thanks, Angelina. I thought that too. The gradation in colouring as well as the bold shapes and texture do have a painterly and sculptural feel.

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Lucy Corrander says:

December 22, 2012 at 8:00 am

I don’t understand this – but it’s beautiful.
Have a very happy Christmas.
Lucy

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winderjssc says:

December 22, 2012 at 11:41 am

Thanks, Lucy. I think I know how this sand formation came about. It was to do with freshwater run-off from a steep slope arriving at beach level beneath a depth of dry wind-blown sand. The water bubbled up through the sand – carrying ‘liquified’ sand rapidly down a gradient where it set in position – rather like the guttering molten wax of a candle solidifies in tears or runs. The location being Rhossili meant that the sand was tinted with fine red sediments derived from Old Red Devonian Sandstone on Rhossili Down.

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