Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Fractal

I was walking on the beach collecting stones when I picked this one for its flatness. At home, I tried to scrub a hard white patch, but it wouldn’t come off. With a magnifying glass, I discovered it was a fossilized sponge, likely millions of years old!

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2023
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Punta del Este, Uruguay
Copyright: © Carolina Quesada