MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

DF is possible, but not without major reworking the illumination system to get a smaller cone. The rig has a few limitations regarding special illumination techniques. DIC is right out.

Regarding diffuser around specimen, this is what works for me, though some specimens do better with harsher shadows: IMG_2334.jpeg Just cut a hole in the bottom of the styrofoam cup that is slightly smaller than the barrel of the objective so that the cup slides on with a slight grip. Cheers, Bob

Just for grins, I thought I might try a pond water video from a different angle of view.

First, just to get you oriented:
And here is the video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CyCARY ... sp=sharing

I'm curious if anybody can comment on the photo-optical benefits of high end coverslips vs lower cost coverslips. I'm looking to order the more expensive #1.5 Schot coverslips listed as .16 to .19 mm thickness, but not sure if my camera will see an improvement. I understand that the DPlan objectives...

Thanks once again, Bruce! I agree that Mr. Kreutz’s image is not only cool, but elegant as well.

These two appear to be connected by a long stalk. I say "appear" because I'm not sure if the stalk is a specialized axopodium or just some flotsam that both are attached to. Any ideas what's going on here?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19DGhfT ... sp=sharing

It actually did come from the pond.

The scale in the lower right is incorrect - should be 100 micrometers instead of 200. The video is slowed by 2x.

Thanks.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M-CBZ0 ... sp=sharing

This is a stack of 226 at 24μ. 4x objective on the D500.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K5tfQ1 ... sp=sharing

I love my BH2! No neglect from me - it gets center position, it has my best camera, all 5 objective positions filled, it was recently outfitted with polarizing and oblique capability. If you’re suggesting Phase contrast/DIC, or reflected lighting, that might come later. BTW, I have a fondness for Ol...

Thanks. Retirement is great! This location also doubles as an RDR2 portal. (No, I haven’t seen Gavin).

New location for all my gear. Left to right: Motic SMZ-168 with Nikon 1-V1, Olympus BHT BHTU with RisingCam 20mb USB3 camera, current iteration of my extreme macro rig.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oAFGp_ ... p=drivesdk

Cheers.

Bob

This is an enlarged version of a 400x clip - probably around 1600x, Illumination via a newly acquired oblique/polarizing kit for the Olympus BH2. I find the combo of polarized and oblique light gives a much more interesting 3D-like view than brightfield or 360 degree darkfield. This might be my new ...

Thanks, Actinophrys. I suspected a larva as well, but couldn’t find an image online of one similar to it. The periodic thrashing reminded me of mosquito wrigglers. Also the size - about 3mm I think.

This 40X video is slowed down to 1/4th speed in order to get a better glimpse of whatever it is. In case you missed it ,the tail end is spiked with 5 or 6 bristles. Sorry for the poor quality. First time I’ve seen straight, rigid segments like this. Thanks for looking. https://drive.google.com/file/...

Thanks Josmann and Bruce! I had glimpsed similar critters a few times, but was never able to get a good enough look to warrant further study. I don’t think they like to be out in the open much.

Cheers.

Bob

From a local Northern VA pond. This is 40x. Watched for about 20 minutes, but didn’t observe any eating behavior. In this photo, the “neck” is about as long as it got. Most of the time it was about a third this length. The two large granules or nuclei in the main part of the body are probably clues ...

Bruce, Re: ventral cilia distribution, are you referring to the amphisiellid median cirral row and adoral zone of membranelle cilia only, or other cilia groupings along the ventral side? If I run across these guys again, I’ll pay more attention to that area, though I don’t think my setup will be up ...

Here is a bright field image at 100x and cropped to about 200x: 8EAA9B10-5B67-4313-96F7-1C02E7ECE57B.jpeg Original higher resolution image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H8ILMUKKGMbVFtcy5lsy3gvJJKQ91lLI/view?usp=sharing Here is the video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xAi6rriFvHCjrqDwANa2a0WP0...

I am processing a bright field video and will post later. This superb Charles Krebs image is the best match I can find. Certainly Hypotrich. Thanks again, Bruce.

Alas, no bright field on this one, Bruce. I only noticed longitudinal body striations and short sub anterior cilia scooping up food. Moved like a flatworm. They never rested, so it was difficult to get a sharp photograph.

Platyhelminthes?

These two guys are about 150μ long. Whiskers at the mouth.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Thank you, Bruce for the clarification. I really appreciate the taxonomic info. What caught my attention here was the regularity of the inflating/deflating cycle with no apparent food target near by.

Thanks. Yes, I watched for about 10 minutes and the inflating and rapid deflating was very regular the whole time.

This bubble inflating and deflating went on for quite a while. Food vacuole? Or some other process? Cropped from a 300x recording on the 20Mp Rising Cam. I’m experimenting with Topaz Video AI to see if it can improve on the streams I get from this camera and its bundled capture software. Using the T...

Based only on species images on the internet, E. gracilis is the closest match I can find for now.

Ah yes, thanks for the correction on paramylum bar.

Thanks, 4w. I’m agreeing with you on likely Euglena species with fine or missing flagella and one extra large economy size chloroplast. Btw, it’s motion was not like euglena I have seen where the flagella is used to whip/pull the body along. Instead, it just did a slow motion writhing and stretching.

Red eyespot usually points to Euglenoid, but I couldn't spot any flagella. Also, anterior end is rounded.

Thanks

Might be a flatworm eggsack. I observed something similar and Bruce Taylor ID’ed it. Maybe Bruce can weigh in on this.

Cheers.