Ornate
Our challenge this week is to share something ornate – “where it’s clear that the creators pulled no stops and went all out.” Okay, so how about something brought to you by the ultimate creator?
When I’m scuba diving, I find myself intrigued by the ornate structure of the many different coral species I see. Here’s a shot from our recent trip to the Cayman Islands. This brain coral is actually a living colony of tiny sea creatures – individual polyps that spend their lives cemented together into an ornate neighborhood. Their bodies are the building blocks for the ocean’s reef systems. Can you see here how this particular coral got its name?
To learn more about the Weekly Photo Challenge, click here.
LargeSelf 
Ooh, I love it. Very cool, Cathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Amy!
LikeLike
Definitely aptly named, and quite fascinating too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These coral heads really are fascinating, Carrie. And they host and protect so much life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this, Cathy. Not to start any religious arguments, but this sort of ornate intricacy is why I could never believe in evolution. How could “something” somehow turn into all the intricate and diverse things in nature, humans, and animals? Impossible! The (intricate) mind boggles.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is interesting how intricate these are, Janet.
LikeLike
Love this take on, Cathy! Brain coral, so very fascinating. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Amy. I know! I really looks like a brain, doesn’t it?
LikeLike
You have captured this well … and (to me) an important aspect is the angle you chose. Excellent as it delivers an element of intrigue. Also another example of the best designs are already in nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Frank. These coral structures and so intricate. Nature does it again!
LikeLike
Just like Gaudi said. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, just amazing. It reminds me a bit of images of archaeological digs…you know, those photos from above showing the walls of ancient villages.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Leon. It does have that feel of walls of ancient villages. I guess these are villages of a sort in reality, too. Each of those little bumps in the ridges is an individual coral polyp. So unique in how they arrange themselves.
LikeLike
I so love that you used something from our Ultimate Creator!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it! And thanks for the comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! It makes me feel the warm water around me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Elyse. Yes, it does evoke that feeling of the warm Caribbean Sea!
LikeLiked by 1 person