GRAINS OF SAND MAGNIFIED 250 TIMES!
GRAINS OF SAND
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2011471/Pictures-sand-Close-p
hotographs-reveal-incredible-beauty.html
Beauty in every grain: For the first time remarkable photographs reveal
hidden charms of ordinary SAND
By Daily Mail Reporter Created 3:12 PM on 5th July 2011
Viewed at a magnification of over 250 times real life, tiny grains of sand
are shown to be delicate, colourful structures as unique as snowflakes.
When seen well beyond the limits of human eyesight, the miniature particles
are exposed as fragments of crystals, spiral fragments of shells and crumbs
of volcanic rock.
Professor Gary Greenberg who has a PhD in biomedical research from
University College London said: 'It is incredible to think when you are
walking on the beach you are standing on these tiny treasures.
Magnified:The grains are shown to be delicate, colourful structures each as
unique as a snowflake.
Colourful: The miniature particles are exposed as fragments of crystals,
spiral fragments of shells and crumbs of volcanic rock.
HOW SAND IS MADE
Sand is tiny fragments of rock that have been worn away over thousands of
years.
Contrary to popular belief, sand is made as rocks crash and break in rivers
and streams on their way to the sea, rather than the ebb and flow of the
tides.
Deposits left by breaking rocks in the sea turns to silt and is much lighter
so is dispersed over a much wider area out to sea, rather than on the shore
line.
Some of the rock is soluble, but other bits remain and as they are slowly
rubbed down over time they get smaller and smaller until they become what we
know as sand.
'Every time I look through my microscope I am fascinated by the complexity
and individuality created by a combination of nature and the repeated
tumbling of the surf on a beach.'
Prof Greenberg, who searches through thousands of tiny rocks with
acupuncture needles to find and arrange the most perfect specimens, then
uses a painstaking technique to create his images.
He has spent five years searching the globe for remarkable sand grains like
these to photograph.
He said: 'Extreme close up photography normally gives a very shallow depth
of field so I had to develop a new process to make the pictures that I
wanted.
'I take dozens of pictures at different points of focus then combine them
using software to produce my images.
'Although the pictures look simple each grain of sand can take hours to
photograph in a way that I am happy with.
'The beach nearest my lab is Haiku, Hawaii but my pictures show sand from
all round the world from Japan to Ireland.'
Hi Pat and Corine,
We haven't had a dispatch fro Pat lately so hopefully all is well and you haven't been kidnapped or robbed or anything..... I don't think we are clear about when you plan to return to sunny Vancouver.
I got back from my trip a week ago, it was really great. It was action packed and I will tell youna bit about it when we meet up, although your travel stories will be more interesting, I am sure.
We plan to stick around Vancouver most of the summer... And I was just wondering if you might be planning on attending the Folk Festival at Jericho this year? I have wanted to go to this for ages but never find anyone interested. The lineup this year looks pretty good. So if you plan to go, I will too.
When are you due back here? Looking forward to catching up with you both.
All the best, Sylvia
Greetings from Kyoto!
Hi Chloe!
Arrived here today, around noon, and after checking into our Japanese Inn, (back to sleeping onthe floor), Matsubaya Ryokan, we bought a one-day bus pass and took a ride to the Ginkakuji Temple. It is noted for its Zen Bhuddist garden and it was truly amazing, stunningly beautiful. Back in our hotel now and I'll have a shower as soon as I've sent this message. We will head out for dinner shortly. Love to you and Maggie and Mom. How is she? How did visit with June go? Fondestos, Tatami Mat Dad!
Greetings from Nagasaki!
Hi June!
Trust you are well and were able to "break-in" to The Island Inn! Thanks, in advance, for bringing the single malt. Much appreciated. Yesterday, Ayn, Chloe's sister in LA, reminded us that it was, in fact, the Victoria Day Long Weekend. (One simply loses track of time after a while. Each day seems just like another on the travel roller coaster!) By chance, we enjoyed Victoria Day at the Victoria Hotel, a booking made some time ago. We dined at a lovely Chinese restaurant, (Cora Lee claimed she needed a break from Sushi this and Sushi that, mainly the pickled vegetables, I suspect!), about two minutes away, near the entrance to the fairly large Chinatown here. Gorgeous entrance gates and attractive, colourful metal dragons overhead along the narrow streets of the precinct. Apparently, according to Coramandel Steves, the Chinese had a very early influence in Japan, here, following the Portuguese and Dutch when foreigners were allowed in. At the moment, my local guide is snoring gently, resting her foot, which still acts up, particulary with a lot of walking, for the busy tour of the city's highlights to come! We plan to buy a one-day tram pass to get around the city, a comfortably sized place with very friendly inhabitants, based on the people who have gone well out of their way to help us when we've asked for directions. Time to make another hit of java, (Starbucks Instanto sticks purchased in Tokyo as emergency rations!), and sip it from our multi-purpose tea/sake cups!
Looking forward to Kyoto as well. Enjoy your holiday in Canada. Cheers, Cora Lee "Rick Steves", broadcasting, semi-live, on location from Japan, and Patrizzio, her trusty, underpaid Sherpa!
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for your email. We
are in Tofino and will be returning to Vancouver on Saturday. I am
sorry we will not be able to meet this time as we are going on
the Rocky Mountaineer on 29th and then we will be in Alberta till we
return to UK. It is beautiful today and we have seen whales and sea lions. Tomorrow we are hoping to see bears.
I
have managed to go to White Rock and Cloverdale where I was as a young
child. I even found my first school which is now a private school
called Cloverdale Traditional School. It has changed a lot but the
original school building is still there! I am glad you are enjoying
your stay in Japan. Many thanks again for your hospitality.
Regards, June
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