Invisible Artists

Khoa Lak beach, Thailand. 2018. 

At low tide, we marvel at these intricate patterns along a soft sand beach in Thailand. Like thousands of tiny galaxies, these curious masterpieces come and go with the tides. They are composed of hundreds of minuscule sand balls. Nope, the invisible artists are not aliens, but teeny crabs called the "sand bubbler". These sand-coloured critters are easy to miss. I imagine they feel the vibrations of our giant footsteps and scurry into their burrows. So, getting close to the little guys is pretty difficult. If you are still and patient, they will re-emerge. 

The little crabs wait in their burrows until the time is right to emerge -- when the tide recedes. Basically, the tiny balls are a product of the crabs' snacking. They sift through the sand for microscopic food. The scoured sand is rolled into balls and tossed aside. The crabs' work spirals outwards from their burrow's entrance, only to be washed away by the incoming tide. From their vantage point, and like most designers in nature, the sand bubblers are likely unaware their creations are so awe-inspiring! 

"Nature's soul is infinitely creative. It is alive and expansive. 

It is curious and playful, changing with the tides of time."

~ (adapted from) Debbie Ford