Patterns in Nature


Are you guilty of giving nature only a quick, casual glance? It’s so easy to do as you rush through your daily activities, but you are missing some very interesting sights by not taking time for a closer look. Those of you who study nature at close range will see many things that other people miss. You will discover that ordinary objects have interesting textures, patterns, and geometric shapes. Take a look at a few we have selected and see how many you can identify. If you have trouble recognizing some of them, turn to the answers.

Gypsum Pattern

Photo No. 1

Geode Pattern

Photo No. 2


Spider Web Pattern

Photo No. 3

Leaves Pattern

Photo No. 4


Armadillo Pattern

Photo No. 5

Flower Pattern

Photo No. 6


Frost Pattern

Photo No. 7

Feathers Pattern

Photo No. 8


Owl Eye Pattern

Photo No. 9

Turkey Feathers Pattern

Photo No. 10


Spider Egg Pattern

Photo No. 11

Sand Dollar Pattern

Photo No. 12


Dried Mud Pattern

Photo No. 13


Additional Information:

Ilo Hiller
1983 Patterns in Nature. Young Naturalist. The Louise Lindsey Merrick Texas Environment Series, No. 6, pp. 5-10. Texas A&M University Press, College Station.