Ferrus Fossil

While heading out with thoughts of a grand sunset shoot in NH's White

Mountains, my plans were derailed when I passed by this tiny treasure

along the trail. I was hiking through a boggy area, and an iridescent

blue caught my eye while looking down. As I looked closely shapes

and patterns of rock and blue were too good to pass up. The colors you

see are natural and not enhanced. The sheen is a result of bacteria in

the water, probably Leptothrix discophora that live in waterlogged places

and get their energy from iron and manganese. As these harmless

bacteria grow and decompose, the iron may appear oily and form

colorful films on surface water. Leptothrix can also excrete manganese,

which looks like black slime. These iron rich rocks looked like a

prehistoric lobster arm, bones and all. The deep blue sky above may

have enhanced the blue of the bacteria coating.

Special Thanks to David Roossien who has recently inspired me to look

at my feet instead of the sky.

Great find and so well exposed, the composition and colors are outstanding, wishing you all of the best.

Great creative abstract work with nice colors resulted from your smart eye and mind! Bravo.

Hamid.

A great find in nature!