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I was listening for owls not too long after dusk. The temperature was in the 50s and the half moon shone brightly. Owls had been vocal. Standing in the dark, I heard a very loud, unfamiliar call that I thought must be either Great Horned or Spotted Owl. It called again, nearby and more intensely. I found myself getting in my car quickly without quite knowing why - it was an involuntary response faster than my brain consciously moved on to IDs like this one. But my brain did get there as I found myself rolling up the window in addition to closing the door, leaving just enough room to record. It was too loud and intense. The sounds moved very quickly from roughly behind my car to in front of my car. When I turned on the car and drove slowly forward, I quickly spotted these two individuals (presumably immature), which I somehow half expected I would see up the road. They were occasionally responding to other calls from the woods (presumably their mother). Photo taken by headlights at 12800 ISO.

Descending from the sky was a flock of Canada Geese. They entered the water with a splash!

One of them began to dunk its head underwater, bringing it back up to cover its body in water. It was bathing! A few other geese followed suit. They did so in rapid succession.

You can really see how water-resistant a gooses's feathers are.

Date is approximate. 3 individuals (2 males & 1 female) seen sometime in April, 1987. My mother and father (@dmpeterson ) were living in Monteverde in the spring of 1987, staying with the Gavin family. I have been digitizing their old slides, and thought these ones were significant, so I uploaded them. The date and location are approximate, based on their best recollection.

Jumping spiders are so darn cute. Its all about the eyes, you get to see 4 of the 8. Great pets too, This one (Phidippus clarus) was found at the MAGLEV site for their proposed Rail Yard on public lands. Good by Phidippus if that happens. Although, they can be pretty touch so maybe some would be happy hunting flies in concrete and gravel. Collected by Danie Phan and photoed by Anders Croft.

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All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

Photography Information:
Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

We Are Made One with What We Touch and See

We are resolved into the supreme air,
We are made one with what we touch and see,
With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,

With our young lives each spring impassioned tree
Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range
The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.
- Oscar Wilde

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML

Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

Best over all technical resource for photo stacking:
www.extreme-macro.co.uk/

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Maryland:

bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

Basic USGSBIML set up:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus
www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up:

ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques:
plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo
or
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking:
www.photomacrography.net/

Contact information:

Sam Droege

sdroege@usgs.gov

301 497 5840

Tearing off the abdomen of a bee caught by a California Bee Assassin (Apiomerus californicus).
REF: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/130029872

Timeline:
09:46:14 bee captured by Bee Assassin
09:48:12 Yellowjacket is latched on to bee
09:49:40 Yellowjacket has separated bee abdomen from thorax

Coscinodiscus radiatus Ehrenberg 1840

Class: Coscinodiscophyceae, Order: Coscinodiscales, Family: Coscinodiscaceae, Genus: Coscinodiscus. Image of Coscinodiscus radiatus Ehrenberg 1840. Cells isolated on December 15, 2009 from Trincomali Channel (TC), Spanish Hills Wharf, Galiano Island, B.C.

A common coastal marine diatom, not reported from polar regions. Cells are solitary. Not abundant, but common throughout the year in our TC samples. Cells flat (coin shaped) or only slightly convex with a shallow mantle and round edge (margin) [Images 1-3]. Diameter range reported as: 13-218 µm (Hasle et al., 1986, Sancetta, 1987, Sar et al., 2010). The plastids are numerous and cocciform. Central rosette of areolae (pores), that may be indistinct, and with a hyaline area ranging from apparent to indistinct. Hyaline lines are absent (Hoppenrath et al., 2009) [Images 1, 4]. The range of areolae in 10 µm is 3.5-6 near the centre, 2-6 in the middle of the valve, and 4-8 at the valve margin [Image 1, 4]. Small rimoportulae are randomly distributed throughout the valve; they are considerably smaller than the valve areolae [Images 1, 4]. Cribra are slightly domed and covers the areolae [Images 1-3]. One ring of marginal rimoportulae [Images 1-2]: there are two macrorimoportulae with a reported angle range of between 129-145 degrees and numerous microrimoportulae 2-4 per 10 µm. Three bands comprise the cingulum [Images 1-2]. One band has numerous small areolae along striae located on the pervalvar axis [Image 4] reported at 45-50 in 10 µm (Hasle et al., 1996, Sar et al., 2010).

Observations on Trincomali Channel samples and notes on diagnostic features:

Areolae: A central rosette of areolae (pores), that may be indistinct, and with a hyaline area ranging from apparent to indistinct. Hyaline lines are absent (Hoppenrath et al., 2009). The areolae are large for this genus—averaging 0.8 µm in diameter for the TC isolates [Images 1, 4], and generally consistent in diameter with two exceptions; 1) much smaller at the margin (Al-Yamani et al., 2009), and 2) for small cells (Sar et al., 2010). Areolae form in radial rows of decussating (intersecting) arcs. The reported range of areolae in 10 µm is 3.5-6 near the centre, 2-6 in the middle of the valve, and 4-8 at the valve margin (Hasle et al., 1986, Hasle et al., 1996, Sar et al., 2010). This matches the measurements for this isolate: 5-5.5 in 10 µm near the centre, 5-6 in the middle of the valve and 5-6 µm in 10 µm at the valve margin (equivalent to the 2009 TC isolate and clone) [Images 1, 4].

Single opening in the hyaline area: A small opening has been reported on the hyaline area of the exterior valve that does not reach into the interior (Hasle et al. 1986); not reported in Sar et al. (2010), found in one deeply cleaned 2011 TC isolate (Images 19-20); not yet found in our 2019 TC isolate and cleaned clones.

Cribra: Cribra are slightly domed and covers the areolae [Images 1-3]. The areolae have numerous small pores. Pore measurements for other TC isolates derived from SEM images range from 0.4 µm to 1 µm. Unlike C. perforatus—a species easily confused with C. radiatus (Sar et al., 2010)—C. radiatus has no subsidiary perforations around the cribrum; however, in C. radiatus there are noticeably larger poroids circling around the outside of the cribra. The 2019 TC isolate has cribra filled with a range of 86 to 98 pores: Hasle et al. (1986) has images of cribra showing a range of between 54 and 149 (our counts). Hasle et al. (1986) caution on using differences in cribra structure for Coscinodiscus identifications. However, Sar et al. (2010) consider the differences in cribra pattern important, at least for distinguishing C. radiatus from C. perforatus. These differences in Coscinodiscus species require further investigation.

Valve rimoportulae: Scattered across the valve are small rimoportulae, much smaller than the areolae, that may differ in quantity amongst cells and by size of cells (Sar et al., 2010) [Image 1]. Valve rimoportulae in the TC 2011 and 2019 isolates measured 0.3 µm in diameter and exhibit the same variability in distribution noted by Sar et al. (2010).

Marginal rimoportulae: In girdle view, the cells are distinctively coin shaped (discoid) with a narrow perivalvar axis (Hasle et al., 1996, Sar et al., 2010) with one ring of marginal rimoportulae [Images 1-3]. The marginal ring has two macrorimoportulae with a reported angle of between 129-145o (Sar et al., 2010); clone J (2019) has a range of between 124 -137 degrees. By imaging with SEM, the inner macrorimoportulae are seen to be long and tubular with slit like openings. The outer opening is indented on the mantle and is visible with LM. There are regularly spaced smaller microrimoportulae along the marginal ring also visible with a LM, 2-4 per 10 µm Image 1, and for this 2009 isolate, 3-4 per 10 µm [Image 1]. Though they have a similar anvil shape, these microrimoportulae are noticeably shorter than the macrorimoportulae (Hasle et al., 1996). For Clone J-2019, the former are 0.55 µm and the latter are 0.9 µm at their widest dimension. The slits of both types of rimoportulae face the same direction, away from the valve centre, though we have occasionally observed microrimoportulae turned in dissimilar orientations. Coscinodiscus radiatus rimoportulae are morphologically different and larger than for C. perforatus, including a larger external opening of the macrorimoportulae (visible with LM) (Sar et al., 2010). Macro and micro rimoportulae are a diagnostic feature for Coscinodiscus species (Hasle et al. 1986).

Cingulum: There are three bands comprising the cingulum (Hasle et al., 1986, Sar et al., 2010) [Images 1-2]. One band has numerous fine areolae along striae located on the pervalvar axis [Image 4] reported at 45-50 in 10 µm (Sar et al., 2010); the 2011 and 2019 TC isolates have 40-43 in 10 µm.
Methods: C. radiatus cells isolated by micro-pipette from a general plankton tow with a 60 micron net at Spanish Hills Wharf, Trincomali Channel, North Galiano Island (N48˚ 59.688, W123˚ 35.064), Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada, December 15, 2009. Cells isolated by micro-pipette and cleaned in at least three drops of sterile TC water. Transferred into HESNW growth media provided by the Canadian Center for the Culture of Microorganisms (CCCM, culture #: SHW-Cg-01) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. For SEM, cells preserved with 2% Formalin and washed repeatedly with distilled water through 13 mm plastic filters to remove salts (see complete method used in iNaturalist, Galiano Island, Attheya longicornis). Filters dried and stuck onto aluminium SEM stubs. Stubs sputter coated with gold. The SEM images were taken with a Hitachi S-4700 FESEM at the UBC Bioimaging Facility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Many thanks to Elaine Humphrey and Derrick Horne who assisted in sample preparation and the taking the SEM images.

Images:

Image 1: SEM image. Valve view showing flat circular shaped cell. Isolated on December 15, 2009 into f/10 growth media and cloned. Gold sputter coated. SEM image taken with a Hitachi 4700 at the UBC Bioimaging Facility.

Image 1b: SEM image. Valve view showing flat circular shaped cell. Isolated on December 15, 2009 into f/10 growth media and cloned. Gold sputter coated. SEM image taken with a Hitachi 4700 at the UBC Bioimaging Facility.

Image 2: SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image. Valve view showing flat, coin shaped cells. Isolated on December 15, 2009 into f/10 growth media and cloned. Gold sputter coated. SEM image taken with a Hitachi 4700 at the UBC Bioimaging Facility.

Image 3: SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image. Valve view showing flat, coin shaped cells. Isolated on December 15, 2009 into f/10 growth media and cloned. Gold sputter coated. SEM image taken with a Hitachi 4700 at the UBC Bioimaging Facility.

Image 4: SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) image. Inner valve view showing flat, coin shaped frustule. Isolated on December 15, 2009 into f/10 growth media and cloned. Gold sputter coated. SEM image taken with a Hitachi 4700 at the UBC Bioimaging Facility.

References:

Al-Yamani, F.Y. & Suburova, M.A. (2019). Marine phytoplankton of Kuwait's waters Volume II. Diatoms. pp. [1]-336, 161 pls. Kuwait: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.
Bérard-Therriault, L., Poulin, M. & Bossé, L. (1999). Guide d'identification du phytoplancton marin de l'estuaire et du Golfe du Saint-Laurent incluant également certains protozoaires. Publication Spéciale Canadienne des Sciences Halieutiques et Aquatiques 128: 1-387. pp. 30-31, p.85. plate 14 a-c.

Cupp, E. E. (1943). Marine Plankton Diatoms of the West Coast of North America. Bull. Scrips. Inst. Oceanography. 5: 1-238. p. 56. Fig. 20.

Guiry, M.D. in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2020. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 20 January 2020.

Hasle, G.R. & Syvertsen, E.E. (1996). Marine diatoms. In: Identifying Marine Phytoplankton. (Tomas, C.R. Eds), pp. 107-109. San Diego: Academic Press.

Hasle, G. R., & Sims, P. A. (1986). The Diatom Genus Coscinodiscus Ehrenb.: C. argus Ehrenb. and C. radiatus Ehrenb. Botanica Marina, 29(4).

Hoppenrath, M., Elbrächter, M. & Drebes, G. (2009). Marine phytoplankton Selected microphytoplankton species from the North Sea around Helgoland and Sylt. pp. [1]-264, figs 1-87. p. 32, fig. 12d-g. Stuttgart: E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.

Horner, R. (2002). A Taxonomic Guide to Some Common Marine Phytoplankton. Biopress Ltd. Bristol, UK.

Phyto'pedia - The Phytoplankton Encyclopaedia Project, UBC Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences: https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/research/phytoplankton/diatoms/centric/ditylum/d_brightwellii.html Accessed January 17, 2020.

Rao, V.N.R. and Levin, J. (1976). Benthic marine diatom flora of False Bay, San Juan Island, Washington. Syesis, 9:173–213.

Round, F.E.,Crawford, R.M. & Mann, D.G. (1990), The Diatoms, Biology & Morphology of the Genera, pp. 176-177. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Sancetta, C. (1987). Three Species of Coscinodiscus Ehrenberg from North Pacific Sediments Examined in the Light and Scanning Electron Microscopes. Micropaleontology, Vol. 33, No. 3. pp. 230-241.

Sar, E. A., Sunesan, I. & Jahn, R. (2010). Coscinodiscus perforatus revisited and compared with Coscinodiscus radiatus (Bacillariophyceae). Phycologia 49(6): 514-524.

Shim, J. H. (1976). Distribution and Taxonomy of Planktonic Marine Diatoms in the Strait of Georgia, B.C. Phd. Thesis, UBC. P. 139. P. 233 Plate XII. 12.

Tynni, R. (1986). Observations of diatoms on the coast of the state of Washington. Geological Survey of Finland, Report of Investigation 75. P. 12. Plate V-27.

Waters, RE, LN Brown, and MG Robinson. (1992).  Phytoplankton of Esquimalt Lagoon, British Columbia: comparison with west Vancouver Island coastal and offshore waters. Canadian Technical Report of Hydrography Ocean Sciences 137. 

Webber, M. and Humphrey, E. (2020). A Quick and Simple Technique for Orientating Diatoms for SEM and Light Microscopy. Microscopy Today. 28(1), 30-33.

ID tentative, possibly another species in this genus.

Possibly my favorite “Two Species” observation from the trip! The large tarantula clearly had a commensal relationship with the little 2cm frog, which mostly stayed hidden underneath the tarantula. They shared a burrow. When the frog emerged from underneath the tarantula briefly, the tarantula slowly extended a gentle leg (first photo) and guided the frog back underneath its body to safety. 😍😍😍😍😍

I found several papers written on this amazing subject but never expected to see it for myself in the wild. Incredible experience!!

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353609447_Mutualism_between_frogs_Chiasmocleis_albopunctata_Microhylidae_and_spiders_Eupalaestrus_campestratus_Theraphosidae_a_new_example_from_Paraguay

Underwater recording of Weddell Seals by the McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory (www.moo-antarctica.net). Of potentially soniferous marine mammals, only Weddell seals occur in the area at this time of year. Verified also by regular visual/video observation. Hydrophone at 21m deep. (Attached photo is example of Weddell seal near the observatory site, but was not taken at the same time as the audio recording).