A Few Diatoms from Puget Sound

[KurtM]

As shot through the Diaphot TMD, 40x objective.

[rnabholz]

Nice mix of targets there.

I don't think that I have seen the second one, the "bunting" all the way around it is cool. Pretty good sized one?

I do recognize the Ausiliscus (sp? - not right but you know what I mean) those are always interestng, love the random patterns on the face.

Looks like you are getting along well with your Upside Down Magnifying Machine.

[KurtM]

Yeah, the large centric (2nd image) only just fits the FOV through the 40x, and is really thick (or at least tall) too - that's a stack of some 20 images. The view doesn't show its true shape at all, does it no justice whatever, I really need to see if it's possible to create a stereo pair or rocking image of it. It's very cool looking, reminds me of a king's crown.

First image is a stack of maybe 3? What I believe is Auliscus sculptus (bottom) is a single frame. It's also quite a thick valve, but all the detail is pretty well on the surface and the rest just solid glass. These guys tend to be 1:4 to 1:3 thickness to diameter(!), note how out of focus the baseline is.

[75RR]

Like that pattern on that full frame centric. Must be pretty big. Don't suppose it is possible to manipulate it?

[KurtM]

No manipulating this one, it's mounted in Pleurax. I made a dry strew for picking, now to find the time and inclination to do it as I begin making preparations to depart in a few weeks to spend the fall months in west Texas.

[MicroBob]

Hi Kurt,
thank you for showing these nice images!
The shapes of the diatoms must have offered a certain advantage for suriviving in their individual eco systems. It's very nice of nature to allow these preferred shapes to be so nice looking!

Bob