Though you’d imagine them to be alien life forms or previously undiscovered underwater species, they’re actually more common than you think: these strangely-shaped creatures are actually seeds in the form of thorns and burrs, commonly found in the tall grass or underbrush of South African landscapes. Shot in macro by Cape Town-based photographer Dillon Marsh, we get to revel in the weirdness of these little spiky critters, collectively known as hitchhiker plants, in the aptly-named series Hitchhikers.
Armed with spikes, tentacles, hooks and barbs, these seeds latch onto fleece, fur and feet of passing animals, allowing them to be carried off to new areas and even crossing continents in some cases. Marsh is no stranger when it comes to encountering these thorns: he’s been sorely acquainted with these thorns while taking photos of the amazing South African landscape. His work focuses on specific landscape features that illustrate the interaction of man – deliberate or unintentional – with the world around him. More on his website and on Instagram.
Images © Dillon Marsh / with permission