Sands south from Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, May 27, 2016
Camelthorn bush (Alhagi maurorum) in sand on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, November 29, 2014
Seidlitzia rosmarinus growing on sand mounds near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Exposed rocks and shells uncovered from sand by winter winds on Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, February 1, 2004
Pattern of windblown sand at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Sand ripples on a beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 20, 2019
Beach sand ripples at Deepwater Pt. in Demarest - Lloyd Memorial State Park at low tide. Dartmouth, Massachusetts, November 13, 2003
Sand mounds (habitat of Seidlitzia rosmarinus) near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Texture of sand ripples on a beach east of Solnechnoe, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 12, 2016
Windblown sand at sunrise near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Windblown sand south from Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, May 27, 2016
Sand ripples on a sandy bar at low tide in French Beach (42 km Beach), on north-eastern coast. Qatar, March 4, 2010
Plant of Bienertia sinuspersici in sand on a beach near Umm Tays Island in Madinat Al Shamal area. Northern Qatar, June 26, 2015
Large sand grains on a beach in Solnechnoe, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 8, 2016
A rocky beach and dry sand ripples at the end of River Road in Acoaxet. Westport, Massachusetts, April 6, 2004
Sand ripples at low tide in Long Point Beach in Cape Cod. Provincetown, Massachusetts, February 5, 2005.
Grove of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a low sand mound on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, November 7, 2014
Sand mounds near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand mounds and ripples near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Texture of windblown sand near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Sand ripples on French Beach (42 km Beach) in Marouna, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, March 19, 2016
Sand mounds with Seidlitzia rosmarinus plants south from Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, May 27, 2016
Beach sand ripples at low tide in Demarest - Lloyd State Park. Dartmouth, Massachusetts, November 14, 2004
Sand ripples at windy evening on Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, December 17, 2004
Windblown sand mounds and ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Field of windblown sand at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Beach sand pattern at low tide near Richmond Pond west from Acoaxet at evening. Westport, Massachusetts, November 15, 2004
Seidlitzia rosmarinus in sand near Mesaieed, with Sealine Beach Resort in background. Southern Qatar, July 4, 2015
Button-scaled gecko (Bunopus tuberculatus) in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, October 30, 2015
Wavy texture of aeolian sand at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Sand dunes south from Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, May 27, 2016
Sand ripples at low tide in French Beach (42 km Beach), on north-eastern coast. Qatar, March 4, 2010
Sand ripples on a beach near Sestroretsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 19, 2011
Sand ripples on a beach. Kurort, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 31, 2014
Sand ripples at low tide in Long Point Beach in Cape Cod. Provincetown, Massachusetts, February 5, 2005.
Sand mounds and ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand ripples on a beach east of Solnechnoe, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 12, 2016
Beach sand ripples at low tide in Demarest - Lloyd State Park. Dartmouth, Massachusetts, November 14, 2004
A lobster pot, sand ripples and beach grass at sunset on Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, December 17, 2004
Large grained sand on a beach. Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 31, 2014
Sand mounds on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) water well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2015
Lizard s burrow in sand near Mesaieed, near Sealine Beach Resort. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand ripples near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Tamarisk tree (Tamarix) in sand south from Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, May 27, 2016
Sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand mounds of windblown sand at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Sands, fences and cottages of Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, March 15, 2004
A lobster pot and sand ripples at evening on Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, December 17, 2004
Sand dollar (Keyhole Urchin, Mellita quinquiesperforata) on eastern Bailey s Beach (Reject s Beach) in Newport. Rhode Island, March 15, 2003.
Skeletons of beach fences covered by drifting mixture of snow and sand, view from Ballston Beach in Cape Cod. Truro, Massachusetts, January 18, 2005.
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) growing on a sand mound on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, March 3, 2014
Sand mounds (habitat of Seidlitzia rosmarinus) near Mesaieed, with Sealine Beach Resort in background, view to south-east. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Seabeach sandwort (Honckenya peploides) in sand behind reeds on a beach in Sestroretsk, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 8, 2016
A lobster pot in sands of Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, March 15, 2004
Young plant of Bienertia sinuspersici in sand on a beach near Umm Tays Island in Madinat Al Shamal area. Northern Qatar, June 26, 2015
Common autumn flowers of pancratium in dunes near Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon, with tracks of lizards on the sand. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
A lobster pot in sands of Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, March 15, 2004
Sand ripples on a beach in Abu Samra, near the border. Southern Qatar, November 29, 2014
Sand ripples after windy weather near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
A beach fence, drifting mixture of snow and sand and Pamet River valley, view from Ballston Beach in Cape Cod. Truro, Massachusetts, January 18, 2005.
Melting snow mixed with sand on Horseneck Beach at evening. Westport, Massachusetts, February 1, 2005.
Close up of Seidlitzia rosmarinus in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 4, 2015
Pattern of sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Windblown sand at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Wavy pattern of sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Sand fiddler crab on a beach in Ship Island. Mississippi, October 8, 2006
Sand texture at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to south-east. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand texture at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Dusty flowers of sea daffodil (sea lily, sand lily, Pancratium maritimum) on a beach south from Rosh Hanikra. The Middle East, September 7, 2000
Sand mounds near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Texture of sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Car tracks on sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Sand mounds with plants of Seidlitzia rosmarinus at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Wavy pattern of sand ripples and sand mounds with plants of Seidlitzia rosmarinus at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
A lobster pot in sands of Horseneck Beach. Westport, Massachusetts, March 15, 2004
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera, local name nakheel) on a sand mound on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, November 29, 2014
Ripples on a sand mound near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand ripples and low dunes at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Animal burrow in windblown sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Seidlitzia rosmarinus growing in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 4, 2015
Beach sands in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 10, 2015
Seidlitzia rosmarinus (local names shenan, julman) on a sand mound near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 4, 2015
Bushes of Seidlitzia rosmarinus (Salsola rosmarinus, Suaeda rosmarinus, local names shenan, Julman) on sand mounds near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, March 5, 2014
Sedge (Cyperus conglomeratus) in sands south from Sealine Beach Resort. Southern Qatar, March 5, 2014
Green seedling of Tetraena qatarense (Zygophyllum qatarense, local name harm) in sands south from Sealine Beach Resort. Southern Qatar, March 5, 2014
Large grains of sand on a beach. Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 31, 2014
Sand ripples covered by iron oxide film on a beach. Kurort, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 31, 2014
Bushes of Salsola drummondii in sand on a beach in Abu Samra, near the border. Southern Qatar, November 29, 2014
Animal burrows in sand on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) near Umm Bab in south-western Qatar, November 29, 2014
Bienertia sinuspersici emerging from sand on a beach near Umm Tays Island in Madinat Al Shamal area. Northern Qatar, June 26, 2015
Seidlitzia rosmarinus emerging from sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 4, 2015
Sand ripples near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Texture of a sand mound near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Sand ripples and sand mounds at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed, view to north-west. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Pattern of sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, July 10, 2015
Seidlitzia rosmarinus growing on a sand mound near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, August 28, 2015
Plants of Zygophyllum qatarense in wind blown sand on a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, September 11, 2015
Button-scaled gecko (Bunopus tuberculatus) found under a piece of foam in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, October 30, 2015
Tail of Button-scaled gecko (Bunopus tuberculatus) in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, October 30, 2015
Side view of Button-scaled gecko (Bunopus tuberculatus) in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, October 30, 2015
Light colored species of button-scaled gecko (Bunopus tuberculatus) in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, October 30, 2015
Animal tracks in sand near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, October 30, 2015
Sand mounds with plants of Seidlitzia at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Windblown sand at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Rippled sand layer at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Wavy sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Wavy sand ripples and low mounds with plants of Seidlitzia rosmarinus at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Camel s tracks crossing vehicle s tracks over wavy sand ripples at sunrise near Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, December 11, 2015
Windblown sand near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in windblown sand near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) covered by windblown sand near a beach in the area of Al Hamala (Al Hamlah) Water Well near Umm Bab. South-western Qatar, January 30, 2016
Sunrise in sands south from Sealine Beach Resort near Mesaieed. Southern Qatar, May 27, 2016
Spikelet of sand ryegrass (Leymus arenarius, Russian name Volosnets peschany) on a beach in Solnechnoe, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 8, 2016
Colony of plants of seabeach sandwort (Honckenya peploides) in sand behind reeds on a beach in Sestroretsk, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 8, 2016
Blooming seabeach sandwort (Honckenya peploides) in sand behind reeds on a beach in Sestroretsk, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 8, 2016
Course-grained sand on a beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 2, 2016
Dissected massive roll-rim mushroom Paxillus obscurisporus(?) in sand on a beach in West Kotlin Nature Reserve in Kronstadt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2018
Course-grained sand on a beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 20, 2019
Grains of sand on a beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 20, 2019
Beach rose (Rosa rugosa, Russian name Shipovnik), sand ryegrass (Leymus arenarius) and seabeach sandwort (Honckenya peploides) in West Kotlin Nature Reserve in Kronstadt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2018
Massive roll-rim mushroom Paxillus obscurisporus(?) in sand on a beach in West Kotlin Nature Reserve in Kronstadt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2018
Blue bottle shard (sea glass) on sand on a beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 20, 2019
Large grains of sand on a beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 20, 2019
Sand ripples on a beach in Solnechnoe, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 17, 2021
Sand ripples on a beach of Gulf of Finland in Solnechnoe, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 17, 2021
Golden Bay Bridge from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Golden Bay Bridge after sunset from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Golden Bay Bridge at evening from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Golden Bay Bridge at evening dusk from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Golden Bay Bridge at evening light from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Golden Bay Bridge and waves at evening from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Golden Bay Bridge at evening dusk from Bakers Beach near Sand Ladder in San Francisco. California, March 15, 2024
Sand ladder from Fort Funston to an ocean beach. San Francisco, California, March 16, 2024
Large-grained sand on Laskovyi Beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 7, 2024
Sand ripples on Laskovyi Beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 7, 2024
Sand ripples at low tide on Laskovyi Beach in Solnechnoe, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 7, 2024
Serene autumn scene at Laskovy Beach (Russian: Laskovyy Plyazh) in the settlement of Solnechnoe, located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Saint Petersburg. Laskovy Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Kurortny District of Saint Petersburg. The name "Laskovy" translates to "Affectionate" or "Tender," while the settlement name, Solnechnoe, means "Sunny". This area has a rich history as a summer resort destination; formerly known as the Finnish village of Ollila, it became a hub for St. Petersburg s intelligentsia and dacha owners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The image shows a trio of birch trees with vibrant yellow and orange leaves, which is characteristic of the "Golden Autumn" season in the Leningrad Region during early-to-mid October. The golden leaves contrast strikingly with the blue sky and the dark blue waters of the Gulf. The large white concrete sphere on the sand is a landscaping feature. Russia, October 9, 2025
View towards Repino from the Laskovy Beach area in Solnechnoe highlighting a transition in the coastal landscape of the Gulf of Finland, marked by rugged natural textures and distinct geological features typical of the Karelian Isthmus shoreline. Unlike the wide, smooth sandy expanses of the main Laskovy Beach, the stretch towards Repino is characterized by a "stony belt" of glacial boulders and pebbles. The rocks visible in the shallow water and on the sand--primarily rapakivi granite and gneiss--are glacial erratics left behind by retreating ice sheets. Their reddish and grey hues (wet from the waves) contrast sharply with the rust-colored sand. Several hooded crows (Corvus cornix) are visible foraging along the shoreline. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
"Bulldozing" trails left by a freshwater mussel of the family Unionidae, most probably the Duck Mussel (Anodonta anatina) or the Painter s Mussel (Unio pictorum) on a beach near Kurort. The deep, meandering furrow left in the sand is a classic "ploughing" trace (known as repichnia). These mussels use a large, muscular foot to drag themselves slowly through the upper layer of sediment, leaving behind the U-shaped groove. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Dark patterns on a beach in shallow waters that are a classic example of heavy mineral sorting (often called a "placer" formation). Heavy Mineral Patterns: Dark, flame-like streaks of black and purplish sand (magnetite, ilmenite, and garnet) sorted by wave action. Quartz-Feldspar Base: A background of lighter golden-brown sand composed of quartz and feldspar grains. Hydrodynamic Sorting: Intricate shapes created by the "swash and backwash" of waves, which wash away lighter grains and leave heavier minerals behind. Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Dark patterns on a beach in shallow waters that are a classic example of heavy mineral sorting (often called a "placer" formation). Heavy Mineral Streaks: The dark purplish-black areas are concentrated deposits of heavy minerals (magnetite, ilmenite, garnet). Light Mineral Patches: The beige/tan areas are the lighter quartz and feldspar sands. Flow Patterns: The sand is sculpted into fluid, wavy shapes ("swash marks"), showing exactly where water flowed and separated the grains based on density. Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Dark patterns on a beach in shallow waters that are a classic example of heavy mineral sorting (often called a "placer" formation). Gradient Effect: One can clearly see the "tail" of the sorting process, where the black mineral density decreases, creating a dusty or shadowed effect over the golden sand. Micro-relief: The lighter sand patches appear slightly raised or pillowy (like small dunes), while the darker heavy minerals settle into the troughs and lower edges, outlining the relief. Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Expansive view looking north-northwest from the southern end of the Sestroretsk coastline towards the Sestroretsk Resort (Kurort) and, further in the distance, the settlement of Solnechnoe (Sunny). The coastline curves gently inward. This specific geography near Sestroretsk causes the eastward littoral drift (sand movement) to weaken, resulting in a very wide, accretional beach (up to 140 meters wide) known for its fine sand and extensive dunes. The foreground shows a sandy spit or sandbar created by the outflow of water. The shallow water here creates the wide, calm pools seen in the foreground, which are popular with birds. Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
