World's Most Strange Species - Geoducks !

Geoducks...What?!

They are definitely not "ducks", nor do they have any relation to "geo"-logy. In fact, they seem alien enough to be "from Mars" and, for all I know, possess a malign intelligence.

They are found mostly around Pacific Coast of the US and Canada, and in Japan they seem to serve as inspiration for "manga" of certain tentacled variety.

Modern biologists easily classify it as large saltwater clam, a bivalve mollusk with a huge "neck", or a "siphon". How huge, you'll ask? Up to two meters in length.

Deep Diggers of the Depths : Even their name is wrong, because it's pronounced "GOOEY duck". You'd think an epithet "gooey" would seem more appropriate for this bizarre creature, but it's not gooey in any sense. The name comes from a misspelling of "gweduc" (a native word), which means to "dig deep". Also, the "Elephant Trunk Clam" monicker fits them quite well.

You'd need to hook up with your buddy to dig them out, especially if you're going to use the "hold-breath" method. It's not so easy to spot the protruding siphon, either.

Sometimes they are confused with "piddocks", which are smaller mollusks.

But once spotted, they can't escape you, or dig further down. In fact, the body of an adult geoduck remains in one spot for its entire life. Sea stars would nibble at them, but once they bury themselves almost a meter deep, no predators can get at them - so they end up living REALLY long.

Old and Wise : Treat them with respect. They'll outlive any of you - they get up to 160 years old . It's the second longest-living organism on Earth (after giant tortoises, which can live almost 200 years). As they grow, they accumulate rings on their shell, much like a tree does.

The average adult geoduck that you'll likely to meet will be the same age as you - 25 to 50 years old, but it hardly has the same experiences as you are, being buried all its life in one spot.

Here is a good-sized geoduck on display in a curiosity shop in Seattle.

"Their large, meaty siphon are prized by some for its savory flavor and crunchy texture." It is a delicacy in Asia, each costing $200 - $300, so if you ever considered opening a private geoduck farm... be also ready to deal with their reputation to increase the "male potential".

The average female produces up to 5 billion eggs in her lifetime. Here is a picture of a bunch of geoduck-like mollusks clinging to a log of wood in Ardmore.

Skeleton sex

The 15 Sexiest Halloween Costumes Based On Pop Culture

Gothic Girls In Dark Art

Hello all, I thought it would be good idea to combine two great things. Dark art and gothic girls. What do you get when you combine two of those ?

Have a look...

I can still Feel you here

Gothic girls in black dresses and graveyards are always great combination.

Agony s Tribute

As you can see, the color purple is present to whole picture and it gives it some beauty. It makes it look gothic even more.

voices

Well, model on this picture look very nice. It's a great pose and all, but I kinda not like the blurry background with those gears and all. Anyway, it's still a great picture.

Leave Me Alone

Ever had that feeling of blue when you wanted to be left alone? Well this picture does it. It gives that depressive gloomy look with background and that blue color.

The rise of a dark angel

This picture is quite interesting because it looks mystic. As you see there is mostly black color that symbolizes mystic darkness, and that girl, with her face covered just boosts that mystic feeling.

The Raven

Have you ever seen a raven before he spreads his wings and flies away? Well this girl remembers me on it. I mean her posture, the dress, everything resembles to raven. And the color combination is just great. Dark and gloomy, just as raven needs.If you really like it, you can order it, cause there is a print available.

Dark Side Of The Sun

Well this picture offers a great deal of that dark atmosphere that we all like.

Most of the colors here are gray and black, which only contributes to the gloomy atmosphere. And the dying girl just fills the atmosphere. Great work indeed.

dark bringer

Ok, this is the second best picture. I had really trouble making up my mind for this one. This image is perfect, in many different ways...That dark atmosphere mesmerizes. Model is just great, the wings, dress, everything. Twisted dark sky and the crows...I can't describe it how much I like this one. Anyway, if you like it as much as I there is print available to buy.

Monsoon

And this is the winner! You can see why I had second doubts about this one and last one. Both of pictures are highly professionally made but on the throne there is place for just one picture. This picture is copyrighted, but I asked the author about permission and I'm allowed to post it here. Anyway, my impression is this:

This picture is combined from several different pictures into one great picture. The sky, model, background, even notes in the sky ( I think they are notes) everything fascinates in every form. Anyway, I hope you like it as much as I do.

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