More images of what I see under the microscope. This was algae (little dots) and ???? from the wildlife water bucket.
This thing would pulse, expanding its "mouth" and then suddenly shrinking back into a ball, then expanding again, over and over. Google images isn't helping ID it.
@peeppeepcircus @CJLavoie This video I use for training water and wastewater personnel is a close of a stalked ciliate with scientific name of Carchesium. It is a stalked ciliate with a retractable stalk. Some species of stalked ciliates have a fixed stalk that does not contract/extend. https://share.counter.social/s/3c282b
@peeppeepcircus @CJLavoie What most people don't realize is that a majority of these water and wastewater organisms reawaken just by the addition of water to soil. Yes, they are able to "hibernate" and survive drought and continue the life cycle when the next rain event comes. Water bears are a really good example of this cycle.
@peeppeepcircus @CJLavoie Petrichor refers to the smell that most of us perceive when the first rains moisten dirt that has been dry for awhile. Petrichor is not one single chemical but a combination of chemicals of which Geosmin makes up a large part of it. Just think of dirt composed of all these chemicals and rain adds the water to make an aromatic solution. This distinctive smell is strongest right after the first rains of the season.
Thank you Victor for all this info! (And to Peep for putting me in touch) Later I did find some with the stalks. I hadn't noticed the cilia around the opening until I saw that in your video. I'll look for those next time. I'm having such fun exploring the microscopic beings!
@Victor @CJLavoie
Amazing.
I have no idea what lurks in my cowboy pool.
But CJ caught a water bear too!