Back to photostream

Tiny snail, front and back

About 1/4" in diameter.The front and back are so different -- a prominent spiral on the front but none on the back -- that I could think these pictures are not of the same snail (but they are). No doubt if I were more familiar with snails this wouldn't have surprised me.

 

In the view from the back (of the snail's underside, seen through the glass) on the right you can see what I'm guessing is the outline of the snail's foot firmly holding onto the glass (of one of our storm doors). See the note that I've added to the right hand picture.

 

When I came in through this door, saw the snail, opened the storm door that it's suspended on, and saw the snail's other side, I was reminded of this short, simple poem by Ryokan:

 

Maple leaf

Falling down

Showing front

Showing back

 

(This translation is from p. 85 of Steve Hagen's Buddhism Plain and Simple (c1997).)

2,599 views
1 fave
3 comments
Uploaded on October 11, 2009
Taken on October 12, 2009