Road trip (a.k.a. science field trip)

Having scientists for parents sometimes means that our kids experience travel to somewhat strange locales. Our trip north along the W.A. coast included a few additions to the itinerary to see stromatolites (Dad) and the Pinnacles (Mom). Despite a few complaints about the heat, unchanging horizon (see above), and super-annoying flies, the kids were game to pursue these interests with us.

For those interested, the Pinnacles are erosion-resistant limestone columns that rise above the surrounding sand and dunes. Whether they are remnant tree casts, or typical karst (cave) features, is up for debate.

Josh will soon be an author on the 2nd edition of an introductory microbiology textbook and needed a picture of a stromatolite to include. Stromatolites are photosynthetic microbial mats that are quite rare now, only occurring in a few high salinity coastal areas. The fossil record shows that they were very common until about a billion years ago, at which point small grazers evolved to regard these as all-you-can-eat microbial buffets.