Harns Marsh in Lehigh Acres, FL received a lot of rain in early July of 2012. Naturally, marsh water levels rose fast. The snail shells also bred fast. But within two days, water levels dropped at nearly the same rate, resulting in this pile-up of now dead snail shells. (If you know the exact species and more about them, please e-mail me at
mark@fossilexpeditions.com so I can include that information.

Photo and words by Mark Renz

The Heap

Why must we sacrifice ourselves
one after another
Is this the only way energy
can remain alive
Is there a simpler
more enduring way to live forever
than to continually pass the torch
from one generation or life form
to another
Perhaps if there is no beginning
and no end
energy is forever damned
to consume and be consumed
Is this hell
or some twisted notion of Heaven