Thalassionema sp. ?

[75RR]

Planapo 63x/1.4, DIC, 135µm length, stacked and stitched in Photoshop, marine, Alborán Sea

Was running out of time when I came across these. Adding water would most likely have moved them too much so image includes air.

Note: ID of Thalassionema sp. as yet unconfirmed.

[Hobbyst46]

Beautiful presentation, as ever!
Amazing how you manage to gather several images for stacking with this short WD immersion objective, when the the diatom is free to move in the water. Even the mechanical pressure by the lens on the coverslip could interfere.

[JMK]

Superb!
Thanks for sharing

John

[75RR]

Many thanks Hobbyst46 and JMK

... this short WD immersion objective ... Even the mechanical pressure by the lens on the cover slip could interfere.

... and does. Don't know if it is me or if the 63x is less bloody minded than usual but I have been gnashing my teeth less lately. Famous last words ... ?

[Glycolyse]

Great picture 75RR, Diatoms are lovely subjects, especially with a mastered DIC technique. How do you collect your samples ? Most of the time, your pictures are taken from sea's samples, I'm curious about your procedure.

[75RR]

Thanks Glycolyse,

mostly collecting marine samples as I am living by the sea at the moment. So lots of new things to see.

I either pick up the algae from the shore as the waves retreat or collect them at the marina where I detach them from the ropes that always seem to be hanging from the dock into the water.

In order to keep the cover slip nice and flat I don't actually place any algae on the slide as such but just hold some alga with some pincers over it and tap it gently.

This dislodges a few of drops of water and usually some animalcules of some sort or other.


Note: Marine samples go off very quickly. A sample I collected yesterday is already getting a little smelly. Will have to throw it away later today.

This is what one of my sample jars looks like. Image is of a sample I had previously photographed - mouth of the Jar is 7cm wide.

[Glycolyse]

Thanks 75RR ! I just come back from the shore. So far, I'm able to see much more diatoms. The main algae I wanted to pick up is Ulva lactuca. I also came across some Cystoseira sp. (compressa ?). (Jar: https://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/20 ... 184023.jpg).

[Hobbyst46]

Thanks 75RR ! I just come back from the shore. So far, I'm able to see much more diatoms. The main algae I wanted to pick up is Ulva lactuca. I also came across some Cystoseira sp. (compressa ?). (Jar: https://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/20 ... 184023.jpg).

Sea lettuce is very abundant alga along the eastern Mediter. shore as well...strangely, a year ago I collected plenty of it, hoping for diatoms, but there were almost none.

[einman]

Very Nice as always. I enjoy using my Leitz FL 63/1.3 oel objective as well. I really need to start taking some photos as well.

[75RR]

Thanks einman. Look forward to your Leitz FL 63/1.3 oel!

[Radazz]

Beautiful! As ever
Radazz