More Than Meets the Eye

Hey ATS I came across this cool article, I wont give anything away but I thought this was cool.

So what’s with the black dots? A recent photo of a dam in Italy has revealed a rather strange phenomenon. A series of black dots line the wall of the dam. What could they possibly be?

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/71255d2e5bcc.jpg[/atsimg]

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[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/558162b4f104.jpg[/atsimg]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/207c4991a770.jpg[/atsimg]


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So, was anyone able to guess what it was from the first picture alone?

So, was anyone able to guess what it was from the first picture alone?

No, I don't think that would have been included in my guess list for awhile.

There must be something up there that they want and it must be dam good. What is it? Seeping water?

reply to post by TV_Nation


Who told those sheep it would be a good idea to wall climb? They aren't even wearing helmets.

I don't trust those sheep. They are after something. Trying to escape. You can tell they look guilty...looking all shifty and whatnot. I say we're going to need to build a bigger wall to keep those sheep out.

I'd be willing to bet salt and mineral deposits from minor seepage is what attracts them.

Awesome climbing ability.

reply to post by EnlightenUp

More likely than anything: Salt.

Animals need salt. If the rocks in that damn have a salt content, then those animals will be driven to climb the wall and lick the rocks. Look at the photo, they all seem to have their mouths against the rocks.

My only question is, would rock that has salt content of any level be a bad choice for building a dam with?

reply to post by harrytuttle


I was considering that something with minerals, perhaps sourced from the dam itself, was likely but wasn't sure enough to say. You're saying the water picks up mineral content from the construction material?

Could the construction material absorb water and leave minerals more concentrated? Or, perhaps the slow flow allows water to evaporate once it find its way through and the minerals collect on the face.

reply to post by EnlightenUp

Something like that, along with what masqua was saying. Either the salt/mineral content was already there, or it accrues via some process of seepage or just natural runoff + evaporation. Since nothing else can disturb the side of that dam, those mountain goats/sheep(?) are able to take advantage of it.

SNAKE!

It's a goat (Ibex) not a sheep, well according to the title of the video anyway

The full info for the video reads

INCREDIBLE!! IBEX on the vertical wall
DAM LAKE Cingino (2200) VALLEY
ANTRONA - licking the rocks in search of his supplements
food (sodium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium)

Sorry for bad google translation

Compared to some of the places these amazing animals live the dam looks like a walk in the park!

What the heck?! That is awesome man and no, I missed them totally on the first shot.
Thanks for sharing, incredible!

spec

reply to post by harrytuttle


You are probably right.

On our dairy farm we use to have to buy really big salt licks and the cows and sheep would go through them quickly.

reply to post by davespanners




Thank you for sharing that was a awesome video.

They are so cute.

How the heck they can navigate that huge cliff is amazing.