the dry sand on the beach tends to become shaped in waves by the wind. when the sun is low, either sunrise or sunset the waves cast more or less rhythmic shadow patterns. any disturbances such as footprints add interest especially because of their shadows the level differences cause. it's not about one shadow or any particular shadows but rather designs created by the mix of degrees of highlighted and shaded areas
these footprints are from seagulls
seagulls and crows. the seagulls feet are designed for swimming and walking on land so their print is far bigger than the crow's whose feet are suited for grasping onto tree branches
dry wildflowers and grasses rooted in the sand shrivel and fall to the ground where they get spun around by the wind and create circular patterns. here with wavy sand and seagull prints
older prints and waves fade as the wind continually moves and reshapes the sand
this is my entry with waves in the sand with seagull, crow and human footprints. i especially like that there are two levels of waves, an older underlying one that is one more or less vertical in the photo and the newer more superficial one with smaller closer wave patterns. i took all these shots in September at Oddane Sand, a nearby beach in southern Norway. it's one of the nicest sand beaches in the area and very popular in the summer but in the offseason if you are lucky you can have the entire beach to yourself