Nigel Cattlin / Eggs of Golden apple snail / Channelled apple snail (Pomacea caniculata) in a Rice (Oryza sativa) paddy, Luzon, Philippines

Adrian Davies / Polished section through Olive tree trunk (Olea europaea), showing growth rings.

Ashley Cooper / 12th century grain store or Agadir at the Berber village of Tizgui, Anti Atlas mountains, Morocco, North Africa. April. 2012.

Franco Banfi / Rice paddy field, Selat, Bali Island, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Colin Monteath / Wide grained wood used in flooring designed to squeak when there is an intruder, Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan

Colin Monteath / Wood grain, Kyoto, Japan

Rhonda Klevansky / Quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma) close up of bark, Richtersveld National Park and World Heritage Site, Northern Cape, South Africa, August.

Neil Lucas / Close up view of the grain of a Bristlecone pine tree (Pinus longaeva) California USA

Pete Cairns / Wood grain patterns in cut wood showing growth rings and hardwood, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Niall Benvie / St Kilda mouse feeding on grain {Apodemus sylvaticus hirtensis} Scotland

Nigel Cattlin / Eggs of golden apple snail / channelled apple snail, (Pomacea caniculata) in a Rice (Oryza sativa) paddy, Luzon, Philippines

Nigel Cattlin / Eggs of Golden apple snail / Channelled apple snail (Pomacea caniculata) in a Rice (Oryza sativa) paddy, Luzon, Philippines

Jack Dykinga / Details of wood grain structure of Arizona white oaks (Quercus arizonica). Stress from lack of water and pest infection can cause elaborate swirls and intricate patterns. Conelo Hills, near Sonoita Co...

Jack Dykinga / Details of wood grain structure of Arizona white oaks (Quercus arizonica) Stress from lack of water and pest infection can cause elaborate swirls and intricate patterns. Dragoon Mountains, Coronado Na...