Brown algal fuzz balls, Cagliari, Sardinia

From Sardinia

From Sardinia

While in Sardinia recently, we saw a beach littered with some little fuzzy brown balls, and the beach itself covered in a fibrous brown mat.

From Sardinia

It turns out that its an algae, from an answer here http://it.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080902051857AA7Z1iN, translated rather badly here http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=n&u=http%3A%2F%2Fit.answers.yahoo.com%2Fquestion%2Findex%3Fqid%3D20080902051857AA7Z1iN&sl=it&tl=en&history_state0=

"Si l'answerino well above says .. we call balls marine or marine potatoes ... it is full also of the coast and all the Arborea Oristanese. Are simply aggregates of algae, I think fragments of Posidonia, underwater plant, which the waves and underwater currents have worked to make them spherical. Are not only aesthetically damaging and ruining the beach a bit. In fact, in the beginning of the season means the mechanical harvesting and crowded. From little ones was a fun play in these huge piles of balls marine"

Little bit of botany here www2.units.it/~galilei/Tavole/tab123.htm "Posidonia oceanica 3-6cm, Fanerogama"

Hoover Dam

From Hoover Dam

One of the engineering achievements of the 20th Century, I won't bore you with stats on it.

Rock Stacking and Balancing in Zurich

From Rock Stacking and Balancing in Zurich

I've seen folks balance and stack rocks before, and it never ceases to make me look twice. I once accidentally knocked one off, so I know there's no glue or anything, just pure balance.

Burkiplatz Flee Market

From Burkiplatz Flee Market

I just love walking around flee markets! Such random stuff.. old bikes next to antique watches, car wheels next to records, postcards next to old trainers.

Zion National Park

From Zion National Park

Wasn't intending to go to Zion, but people said I should, so I did. I'm glad I did. The scale of the place is enormous. I did the Emerald Pools trek and went up the valley as far as the path allows. I will go back, earlier in the year to d Angel's Landing.