Yesterday...

[kalibex]

Three-quarters of the way through my daily walk, was brought up short as I spied a snail attached to a stone wall I was passing...and promptly went into full InnerFiveYearOld mode. I gently pried it off the wall where it had biologically glued itself, and examined it. Was a small one, a few centimeters in diameter, I'd say. Shell was a dull brown - very camoflaguey (except against the grey of that particular stone, heh). The critter inside may actually have been dead - seemed drawn way up inside, not very responsive. Looked kind of dried-out, I mean. Looking about, I saw two more molluscs in short order; several times larger, one with an especially attractive accenting stripe winding its way around the spiral.

Let me tell you - I fought that inner child's yen to pry them all off and take them home, and listened to that wiser inner voice that told me to stop messing with the critters and leave them be. So I carefully placed the one I'd already pried off into the safest-looking crevice I could see...then went on my way.

Was a nice reminder though that Nature is one kick-@ss Designer..

Comments

[audioboy.livejournal.com]

Beckie's always moving the snails along the sidewalk in front of our building because people keep crushing them. SHe's becoming known as B-ster, the Patron Saint of Wayward Snails.