Funny how it always comes back to the "state of mind" question...

The "loose sand" explanation sounds the most plausible so far.

That *would* explain the way they kept rearing up to bite at me, and kept insulting me using my mother's voice, right?

I did in fact taste each one. I was wrong about three of them; they were two pees and a loose stool. But as for the rest of the dark patches: Cause still uncertain. Seriously, though, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out of the loop here. It was my 5th year and I only just noticed them for the ...

Do you know what causes the dark patches on the playa (and no, the ones I'm talking about are much larger and more irregularly-shaped, so the answer isn't "bladders"). They cover every area I can see out there. They don't look human-made. Am I the only one who notices these and wonders about them? E...