Surface tension...

A property of liquids such that their surfaces behave like a thin, elastic film. Surface tension is an effect of intermolecular attraction, in which molecules at or near the surface undergo a net attraction to the rest of the fluid, while molecules not near the surface are attracted to other molecules equally in all directions and undergo no net attraction. Because of surface tension, the surface of a liquid can support light objects (such as water beetles on the surface of a pond). Surface tension is responsible for the spherical shape of drops of liquid; spheres minimize the surface area of the drop and thus minimize surface tension.

These droplets of rain have been trapped by the toothed hairs on the leaf of an oriental poppy, and surface tension has caused them to form perfect spheres. Each droplet is acting a lens, focussing the sunlight into a blindingly bright spot.

This was taken during one of the brief sunny intervals in a day dominated by rain - steady rain in the morning, and heavy showers of hail in the afternoon. I always enjoy Tuesdays, as Alex doesn't go to college. Though this morning I still had to get up fairly early to take the car to the garage for a repair to one of the brakes (fortunately at no cost, as it was recalled by the manufacturer).

The rest of the day was spent peacefully catching up with chores - paperwork, washing and hoovering. Alex has been working on a woodland management paper this afternoon, and Ben and I did a couple of sessions of psychology and biology. An old friend rang this afternoon and we arranged for her and her daughter to come over on Friday afternoon - which I'm really looking forward to. We have far too little time to get together these days...

I even had time to do some cooking - home made pizza for lunch and a pear and almond pudding for this evening. Pete and Ben will be pleased!!