Fractal visionaries and enthusiasts:

For two reasons I strongly recommend viewing today's image on the FOTD web site at:
The first reason is that the image requires the type=DivideBrot5 formula that is hard coded only in version 20.04.9 of Fractint or a later version.   The second reason is that even with the latest version of the program and a SOTA computer that doesn't choke on DOS programs, the image will take 28 hours to complete.

A few days ago I posted an image of an anti-bifurcation minibrot that lies on the west side of its Mandelbrot-set-like parent.   Today's image lies on the east side of the same parent, not too far from East Valley, affectionately known as Elephant Valley.

Instead of the hairline filaments of the earlier image, in today's image we have nascent elephant trunks seemingly sprouting from nowhere and repeating over and over as we approach the central cubic minibrot.

The number of elements around the minibrot seems to obey no rule at all.   It begins at 12, and as we approach the minibrot the series continues 24, 9, 18, 9, 18...   The iteration count also appears to repeat in some kind of cycle, though slowly growing larger.   It's too bad that the arbitrary math routine is so slow with all but the Mandel and Julia formulas.   Things could get rather interesting deeper down.

The name "Elephants are Slow" refers not to the ponderous pachyderms themselves, but to the time required to calculate today's image, which lies near Elephant Valley, -- four hours longer than one full day.   I left the rating indeterminate.   The image itself is worth about a 7, but the slow calculation time spoils most of the fun.   As I said at the beginning, by far the best way to see the image is to view it on the web site.

A hazy sky dimmed the sun here at Fractal Central on Sunday, but the temperature of 68F 20C was quite warm enough for the fractal cats, who alternated between their window shelf and the floor.   My day was quite slow, due in large part to FL, who complained of all-over soreness from the garden work she did on Saturday, and wanted us to take it easy today.

The next FOTD, certain to be a faster one, will be posted in 24 hours.   Until then, take care, and watch for the signs and wonders.


Jim Muth
jamth@mindspring.com
jimmuth@aol.com

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