PATTERNS IN NATURE

Dendrite snowflakes first occur when the temperature hovers between 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degree Celsius) and 27 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 degrees Celsius).

Dendrite Snowflake photo by Kenneth Libbrecht

Peaks and valleys ripple across the ceiling of an ice cave in Bavaria, Germany.

Ice Cave Ceiling photo by Carsten Peter

A snowflake appears translucent when photographed up-close.

Snowflake Crystal photo by John Dunn

Fractures create ribbon-like patterns in thick ice on Ellesmere Island, Canada.

Ice Fractures photo by John Dunn

A snowflake's shape depends on the temperature at which it forms. This type of snowflake, called a sectored plate, forms when the temperate dips below about 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius).

Sectored Plate Snowflake photo by Kenneth Libbrrecht

Scientists aren't sure why temperature affects crystal formation and leads to different shapes of snowflakes.

Plate Snowflake photo by Kenneth Libbrecht

The sun casts shadows on snow-covered hills in North America.

Snowy Hills photo by Jay Dickman

Sandbars flow into the Coral Sea at Whitsunday Island National Park in Queensland, Australia.

Sandbars in Australia photo by Paul Chelsey

Turbines at the Barrage de la Rance electric power generating station in France create a whirlpool in the Rance River.

Whirlpool photo by James A. Sugar

Waves from the Pacific Ocean leave lines in the sand at Pismo Beach in California.

Pismo Beach, California photo by Marc Moritsch

Thick sea ice in the Arctic Ocean's Beaufort Sea traps air bubbles.

Sea Ice, Beaufort Sea photo by Paul Nicklen

Water ripples resemble an impressionist painting in Costa Rica.

Water, Costa Rica

In the midst of a full algae bloom, the waters of Kenya's Lake Magadi run red.

Lake Magadi, Kenya photo by Emory Kristof

A neglected eighty-eight butterfly (Diaethria neglecta) in Brazil’s Pantanal displays the design of lines and dots that gave it its unusual common name.

Neglected Eighty-eight Butterfly photo by Joel Sartore

Australia’s largest butterfly, the birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) blends into a green leaf. Female birdwings can have a wingspan of nearly 8 inches (20 centimeters).

Birdwing Butterfly photo by Nicole Duplaix

A close-up of the wing of an unidentified butterfly found near Tully, Australia, evokes a rich tapestry.

Butterfly wing photo by Darlyne Murawski

The peacock pansy butterfly (Junionia almana) sports striking eyespots and purple patterns.

Peacock Pansy photo by Tim Laman

The petals of a white flower set off the white stripes of this zebra-winged butterfly at a children’s zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Zebra Winged photo by Joel Sartore

The spines of a fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium) form a multicolored flower off Komodo Island, Indonesia. The blue swellings on the tip of each spine are filled with venom.

Fire Urchin

A necklace sea star nestles among the C-shaped emerald tentacles of anchor coral in the western Pacific Ocean.

Necklace Sea Star photo by Wolcott Henry

Bibliography

National Geographic’s Photo Galleries: Patterns in Nature

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/patterns-nature-galleries.html