Diatoms (Coscinodiscus sp.) and a planktonic fish

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:55 pm

Took my small plankton net to Puget Sound the other day, and after just a few tosses came away with a jar loaded with this species of diatom. I believe this is the same species that I posted previously:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=11912
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=16042

There were so many that I put some in a small petri dish and decided to try a little different "look" than I had done previously. When they settled down they formed a very "golden" layer and made for some interesting shots when illuminated from the top.

Nikon MM-11, Olympus MPLFLN 10/0.30 objective

Nikon MM-11, Olympus LMPLFLN 20/0.40 objective

Nikon MM-11, Olympus LMPLFLN 50/0.50 objective

A more "conventional: view with DIC...
Olympus BHS, Olympus 40/0.70 S Plan Achromat, DIC illumination

Normally I avoid collecting fish that get caught in the net, dump them back in. But this one was so small it sneaked by me. I was surprised at the eye detail (and teeth). The eye itself measured only 0.03" (0.75mm) in diameter.

Nikon MM-11, Mitutoyo 10/0.28 M Plan Apo

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:08 pm

wonderful work, these golden diatoms...

Olympusman · Post by **Olympusman** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 3:11 pm

Superb!

Mike

discomorphella · Post by **discomorphella** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:09 pm

The diatom layers are wonderful but I like the fish the best, it looks like you caught a mini-piranha....just beautiful detail from your Nikon-Olympus hybrid scope.

David

Beatsy · Post by **Beatsy** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:07 pm

My worst nightmare -a field full of diatoms all the same

Gorgeous images though!

Litonotus · Post by **Litonotus** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 11:25 pm

Both are amazing!

Sumguy01 · Post by **Sumguy01** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:30 am

Great pics.
Thanks for sharing.

Jacek · Post by **Jacek** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:32 am

I'm your fan

Perl · Post by **Perl** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:45 am

Very Nice Charles !

Marek Mis · Post by **Marek Mis** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:25 am

Wonderful and extraordinary images. I especially love the first two ones, they reminds me some box of candys

And their quality ... Perfect, as always !

Marek

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:02 am

Amazing set, love them all.

Rogelio

carlos.uruguay · Post by **carlos.uruguay** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:38 am

Bellísimo!!
Beautiful!!

arturoag75 · Post by **arturoag75** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:12 pm

Absolutey amazing

Arturo

harisA · Post by **harisA** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:39 pm

Very nice images especially the first one.

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:35 pm

Incredible. I have never seen them in such densities. I also used my 10µm net to collect them but I normally find a handful of them in several trawlings.