Limpets and gypsum pseudomorphs
A fine day means the chance to walk the Westray coast:
The blues are spectacular and the rocks are fascinating
In the cracks in the sedimentary rocks are Limpets. The safest are probably the ones which hunker down deep within the cracks. Being left on the outside could be dangerous in a storm or difficult when they get hot and bothered by the sun.
Interestingly I’ve been to this crack in the rocks before and seen the Limpets. There were far fewer then:
My book on Westray geology says there are gypsum pseudomorphs in the rocks here. I wonder if that’s what these are?
They look like fossilised organic material, but I think they are simply mineral:
Here’s a wall of rock full of those strange shapes and a line of Limpets in perfect shelter. All they need is for October to come and a temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and they will release vast quantities of white sperm and green eggs into the water.
It’ll be a proper Limpet orgy.
More Limpets
Home Scar Limpets are incredible organisms. They can withstand the heaviest seas, can live despite being baked by the sun and desiccated… read more
Green-haired Limpet I suspect this Limpet has been experimenting with a new hairstyle. That green hair must be quite high maintenance, because… read more
The Limpet Twins Limpets are a personal favourite of mine; especially with garlic. No, seriously I love the rock-licking kneecaps a great deal.… read more
For the love of Limpets All Limpets start life as neuters and develop into males at about a year old. When they get to between… read more
Shelter I've spent two entire days of my life crawling up the seashore measuring the height and diameter of limpets. The… read more
Limpets on the edge These three limpets are living on the edge. Their shells have been buffeted and battered so much by stones carried… read more
Green hair This limpet has the best hair colour - a green fringe of seaweed. Beautiful. I can also see a ghostly… read more
Something’s been licking the rocks again Something's been travelling very slowly and licking the rocks from side to side. It must be the Limpets again. read more
Fresh Limpet This Limpet looks so fresh and clean but I just can't bring myself to eat it. I think it was… read more