Benthic Invertebrate Photo Booth
Months ago I purchased a box of microscope slides with the idea of using them to construct an inexpensive, micro-aquarium for use as a benthic invertebrate photo booth. And last night I finally got around to assembling a prototype. Using silicone sealant a stack of three slides were stuck one by one on top of each other to a plastic base to make the bottom. Then another slide was added, on edge instead of flat, to create the sides. From above the micro-aquarium looked like a fat capital "I" with really long serifs. Silicone sealant was added to all the corners and around the base and then allowed to set overnight.
So today I returned to the creek to find new subjects. Unfortunately today was not nearly as pleasant a day as yesterday; a freezing drizzle and a raw wind made it very cold to be playing in the creek without gloves. I stayed just long enough to find a couple creatures to photograph.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Acute Bladder Snail (Physella acuta)Observer
scottkingDescription
Freshwater Snail
Spring Creek
Cowling Arboretum
Northfield, Minnesota
Photos / Sounds
What
Acute Bladder Snail (Physella acuta)Observer
scottkingDescription
Aquatic Snail
Spring Creek
Cowling Arboretum
Northfield, Minnesota
Comments
That is fantastic, Scott! I'll look forward to see what critters you can discover!
Very cool. I look forward to seeing more of your aquatic observations.
Thanks. So far so good. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to put the micro-aquarium to good use soon and to assemble a few more. They should work really well with Odonata.
Would you post a photo of the micro-aquarium itself? I'm having a hard time visualizing it, but might like to make one.
Todd, here's a link to a photograph. Not really a work of art, but functional...and inexpensive, at most a dollar or two.
https://flic.kr/p/RUo8h3
Thanks for the photo. Winter is a good time to work on equipment! Being able to get photos from the side will be a nice change from the typical top-down view.
I think when I make one, I'll place the end slides "off center" so that the end slides won't stick out past one of the long sides so much. That should make it easier to maneuver a macro lens closer, especially for subjects that may have crowded into one of those corners.
That's a good idea to offset the ends. If I had a glass cutter it probably wouldn't be too difficult to cut a slide in half for the ends. Also, clear silicone instead of white would be an improvement as well.
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