Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United States
  3. 2021
  4. October 10
  5. Rainbow abalone shell, New Zealand
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Rainbow abalone shell, New Zealand

October 10, 2021

Rainbow abalone shell, New Zealand

© Lynda Harper/Minden Picture

A shell of many colors

We could perhaps fool you and claim you're viewing a long-lost Jackson Pollock canvas, but it was Mother Nature who painted this blackfoot paua (aka rainbow abalone) shell. And modern art it ain't: Fossils from similar marine gastropods date back at least 65 million years.

There are more than 100 abalone species in oceans around the world, but the blackfoot paua is one of the largest and is found only in New Zealand's waters. The Indigenous Māori people have long prized its black flesh as a delicacy and now others are discovering its distinct flavor, particularly in Asia, where the blackfoot paua fetches astronomical prices at seafood markets. After harvesting the abalone meat, the Māori use the colorful shells as decorations in traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Paua power!

abstract painting art child art drawing reef acrylic bubble colorful painted

Related Images

Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, UtahSandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah
Aerial view of glacial rivers in IcelandAerial view of glacial rivers in Iceland
'Power of the Titans' mural by Andrei Krautsou, North Kansas City, Missouri'Power of the Titans' mural by Andrei Krautsou, North Kansas City, Missouri
Jacob Lawrence's mosaic 'Community,' Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building, Jamaica, Queens, New YorkJacob Lawrence's mosaic 'Community,' Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building, Jamaica, Queens, New York
Hawaiian lei flower garlandsHawaiian lei flower garlands
Traffic circle and highway in Bangkok, ThailandTraffic circle and highway in Bangkok, Thailand
Last rays of sun on a group of dunes, Sahara, AlgeriaLast rays of sun on a group of dunes, Sahara, Algeria
'Paddle Out for Unity' event in San Diego, California'Paddle Out for Unity' event in San Diego, California

Today on Bing

Kochia, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan

Kochia, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan

Oct 10, 2024
Mount Sopris, Colorado

Mount Sopris, Colorado

Oct 10, 2023
The 'Circle of Sacred Smoke' sculpture by Junkyu Muto frames Devils Tower in Wyoming

The 'Circle of Sacred Smoke' sculpture by Junkyu Muto frames Devils Tower in Wyoming

Oct 10, 2022
Aerial view of American flamingos flying over Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezuela

Aerial view of American flamingos flying over Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezuela

Oct 10, 2020
Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635)

Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635)

Oct 10, 2019

Related Tags

abstract art painting landscape drawing nature desert sand pattern colorful water indoor bed laying mountain canyon valley sunrise grass graffiti
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.