The Thing

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Saul
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The Thing

#1 Post by Saul » Fri Aug 09, 2019 4:02 am

ID please, Nikon BD Plan 20x, Optiphot, Rheinberg/Oblique/Polarisation, found in the lake

Image

Image

Thanks,
Saul

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75RR
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Re: The Thing

#2 Post by 75RR » Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:39 am

Great images and very interesting 'thing' Do you have an idea of the approximate size? That might help someone to identify it.
Zeiss Standard WL (somewhat fashion challenged) & Wild M8
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Saul
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Re: The Thing

#3 Post by Saul » Fri Aug 09, 2019 7:05 pm

75RR wrote:Great images and very interesting 'thing' Do you have an idea of the approximate size? That might help someone to identify it.
Thanks !
Approximately 0.25x0.5mm

Sauerkraut
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Re: The Thing

#4 Post by Sauerkraut » Tue Aug 13, 2019 12:20 am

These look similar in size, shape, and color to sedge grass seeds (species info unknown) that I collected today alongside the pond. The tiny seeds were contained inside larger black husks, which I initially mistook for the seeds.

I did not see hexagonal patterning but didn't look that closely either.

So maybe a seed?

chrisskee
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Re: The Thing

#5 Post by chrisskee » Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:27 pm

check Prorocentrum (? prorocentrum micas)
Greetings

Saul
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Re: The Thing

#6 Post by Saul » Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:23 am

chrisskee wrote:check Prorocentrum (? prorocentrum micas)
Greetings
Can it be from the lake (Chicagoland) ? Google states that Prorocentrum is marine ....

Saul
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Re: The Thing

#7 Post by Saul » Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:27 am

Sauerkraut wrote:These look similar in size, shape, and color to sedge grass seeds (species info unknown) that I collected today alongside the pond. The tiny seeds were contained inside larger black husks, which I initially mistook for the seeds.

I did not see hexagonal patterning but didn't look that closely either.

So maybe a seed?
Not too small for the seed ? Forgot to mention - it was almost transparent

Sauerkraut
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Re: The Thing

#8 Post by Sauerkraut » Thu Aug 15, 2019 3:29 pm

Saul wrote: Not too small for the seed ? Forgot to mention - it was almost transparent
Surprisingly, no. Using a stage micrometer, the grass seeds measure out to the same dimensions you noted: ~ 0.5 mm long x 0.25 mm wide. They are teeny tiny seeds, but not quite as pointed on the one end as your 'thing' is. I'm trying to see if they will germinate.

Your images are beautiful, btw.

Heather

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Re: The Thing

#9 Post by Saul » Thu Aug 15, 2019 3:39 pm

Sauerkraut wrote:
Saul wrote: Not too small for the seed ? Forgot to mention - it was almost transparent
Surprisingly, no. Using a stage micrometer, the grass seeds measure out to the same dimensions you noted: ~ 0.5 mm long x 0.25 mm wide. They are teeny tiny seeds, but not quite as pointed on the one end as your 'thing' is. I'm trying to see if they will germinate.

Your images are beautiful, btw.

Heather
Heather, thank you very much for your kind comment !
Will go to the same place to look for this grass ....

dtsh
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Re: The Thing

#10 Post by dtsh » Sat Aug 17, 2019 8:06 am

Saul wrote:Heather, thank you very much for your kind comment !
Will go to the same place to look for this grass ....
Unless I have misread your location, you shouldn't have much trouble locating sedges along much of the lakeshore. There are large numbers of them up by Montrose Beach (bring the dog if you have one!!!).

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Re: The Thing

#11 Post by Saul » Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:58 pm

dtsh wrote:...Unless I have misread your location, you shouldn't have much trouble locating sedges along much of the lakeshore...
Yep,remember where I found it :)

Saul
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Re: The Thing

#12 Post by Saul » Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:23 pm

OK, mystery solved:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=462 ... 5254010550

https://www.facebook.com/SciencePhotoLi ... 026142949/

"The appendages on top of the head are air sacs used to control buoyancy. The larvae of these insects are aquatic and pupate underwater. They are common in lakes all over the world.
Credit: Frank Fox / Science Photo Library
http://bit.ly/339DXMU "

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75RR
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Re: The Thing

#13 Post by 75RR » Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:34 pm

Chaoborus air sacks! Never would have guessed :)
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Rapidray
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Re: The Thing

#14 Post by Rapidray » Mon Nov 02, 2020 8:24 pm

That is so cool looking!
OMAX M83

shawn perez
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Re: The Thing

#15 Post by shawn perez » Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:52 am

images are so cool
Shawn P.

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