It was late afternoon, as I strolled hand in hand with my husband along a favourite beach. There I caught sight of this tiny web, which did it's best to elude my phone camera. Perhaps it was the dreamy light, perhaps it was the rare moment of peace with my spouse, but a romantic chord of Euplectella (Venus Flower Basket) was struck in me. I have a specimen in my studio from my childhood haunt- the Batemans Bay Shell Museum. It's gorgeous silica spicules- the enduring home of a pair of fish- are a marvel to behold.