More investigating on swamp ‘oils’…
by Mark ~ March 23rd, 2007. Filed under: abstracts, art, blog, environment, macro, my woods, nature photography, wonder.
I have been hunting around trying to learn a little bit more about the natural oils I have photographed in the past, and most recently in ice formed after a spring thaw. Neighbor Mike gives some insight from a botany student that stopped by one of his shows. A bit more research indicates this stuff technically isn’t really an ‘oil’ per say, but bacterial films that form from decomposing vegetation and minerals. These articles also promote the ’stick test’ to determine if it is related to some polutant or if it is the natural film. This film will break apart if distrubed and not reform back together. A petroleum based oil ’spill’ will merge back together. Of course I couldn’t do this with my recent discovery of this stuff in ice - but given the swampy area I was in, and that these films are often found here, I am pretty confident it wasn’t an oil spill.
Since others have expressed some interest (like fellow photographer and blogger Howard Grill), here are some good articles that describe this oil like film that is actually bacteria, resulting from decomposing vegetation and certain minerals present that determine some of the colors. Imagine that… Bacteria as art! 
Oil like films and slimes - Michigan DNR
Difference between bacterial film and oil sheen
These are the aspects of nature that completely fascinate me. That you can take something so obscure like this and make interesting images from it. I love this stuff.
March 23rd, 2007 at ?
Hi I really like your blog and was wondering if you would like to add it to my directory?
http://www.weblog-index.com
Thanks, Shelly
March 24th, 2007 at ?
This is way cool! Thanks for the info….
March 25th, 2007 at ?
Hey Mark thanks for great detective work. Interesting reading. Love your lastest shots in ice. I havn’t been able to find this in ice form.
March 27th, 2007 at ?
Now I am a bit confused.
While visiting the Congaree Swamp National Park last week, the park ranger there told me that the oils that I was looking at actually came from the roots of the trees.
It was cypress trees, so it may be different in this case here.
Still, … beautiful lines/patterns/colors can be found while shooting these areas in oil!
Fun too!!
March 27th, 2007 at ?
Perhaps decomposing tree roots, or bacteria contained within them? Mike - if you come across more info - please do share.
April 1st, 2007 at ?
Thanks for the information about the swamp “oils”. Your images of them are quite amazing! Something else for me to look for when out shooting!
May 13th, 2008 at ?
Wow, you have an amazing ability to capture natures elegance! Plus, i learned somehing new about bacteria. Good Post!