Field guide No. 1381
The ant link chain
Holding it together, mostly
A heavy iron chain lies on concrete, and one of its links is made entirely of ants clinging to each other. The chain is only as strong as its busiest link.
Field noteAnts cling into one oval link of a rusted iron chain and hold the heavy links on either side together.
Also possible, also breaking material
Black breath bubbles in a white desertMud pots bubble in grey; these keep their round shape dry, black and stacked in a heap.
Porcelain heart of an artichokeAn artichoke is leaves to the middle. Fired china where the heart should be is wrong stuff.
Petal bruise in clear crystalBruising is for fruit and shins. This crystal went purple where a petal touched it.
Slate wave on a silent shoreA wave of layered slate is frozen at its crest. It has been about to break for some time.