Shield Reef, Saltwick Bay, North Yorkshire

These strange patterns in the rock appear near the tideline, just south of Black Nab sea stack at Saltwick Bay, Whitby, North Yorkshire. I've read that the rocks are fossilised, but I'm not sure exactly what creates the shield shaped patterns. This coastal landscape image shows the view south from near Black Nab at sunset, and we were very lucky to see a little of the colour in the sky spreading so far south, as this image was shot in July with the sun setting at its most northerly point of the year.