Pretty rock special: Canada

[stephbg]

Mum recently returned from a trip to Canada which included several train tours through the Rockies. I naturally requested a souvenir of a rock from the Rockies, and Mother obliged. She also acquired some others for me. Score!



These are the two rocks Mum picked up from next to a glacier. I know which glacier it was, but Mum has requested that the exact location not be revealed.



Note the smoothed edges. Mum assures me that the rocks were thoroughly washed prior to import, but I wonder if some of the flecks inside are living algae?



They also come up nicely under the microscope.





This one looks like the surface of the Moon:



One of my sub-projects is to find picture of rocks that look like planets seen from space. It will be interesting to see how a spherical filter works with this texture.

Next we have a piece of petrified and agatised wood:



I'll post more about this separately with the microscope and closeup shots. Lots of fascinating details in nooks and crannies.

Next, a desert rose:



A piece of tangerine quartz, also known as lemurian:



A frog made from British Columbia Jade a.k.a. Canadian Nephrite Jade, which I think is just gorgeous:



I'm not usually keen on rock sculptures; I like their natural forms to show through, or at least be tumbled into abstract curves. But this little one works so well it feels right. It also let it be known that it wanted to sit on not just its compatriot the piece of petrified wood featured above, but also on a chunk lapis lazuli that was summoned out of another collection to join the Canadians. Feisty little thing that frog.



I have a story to tell about lapis lazuli. Looks like there will be at least one more rock post in my future :-)

Thanks Mum!