Echinoidea

We all went to Yellowcraigs Beach this morning to hunt for shells. Walking just above the tideline, where the seaweed collects, I found this perfect sea urchin. They have such natural geometric beauty and I love the patterning of the little ball and socket joints where the spines are attached. If you look closely you can see five paired rows which are greener in colour. This is where the hundreds of tiny tube feet would have been and why it is a member of the starfish family. Normally I only ever find pieces of broken shell so this felt like a real find.