


Upper image:
Scale of frame, 3.5mm horizontal
Canon 10D
B&H .7 inch f.l. lens @ f/4 on extension tubes
Series of 42 images at .001 inch increments
Diffused fiber optic illumination
Combine ZM, Photoshop
Collected 6/13/07
Middle image:
Scale of frame, 18mm horizontal
Canon 10D
Fujinon 50mm f.l. lens @ f/5.6 on extension tubes
Series of 77 images at .005 inch increments
Diffused fiber optic illumination
Combine ZM, Photoshop
Collected 6/13/07
Lower image:
Scale of frame, 1.65mm horizontal
Canon 10D
Canon 20mm f.l. lens @ f/5.6 on extension tubes
Series of 36 images at .0005 inch increments
Diffused fiber optic illumination
Combine ZM, Photoshop
Collected 6/13/07
I am so delighted to finally have some images at this early stage of sporulation. A rare find that is so well displayed by the miracle of image stacking. These myxomycetes, fresh out of their substrate have had their hypothallus layer deposited onto the substrate surface by the plasmodium. (See the transparent surface material at the base of the center subject in the upper image.) The translucent stalk or stipe is supporting the swelling peridium sphere. The orange material that will later form the spores and capillitium can be clearly seen in the hollow channel of the stalk.
The middle image again made possible by image stacking shows a cluster of the myxos erupting from the substrate material which is a decaying log.
The lower image pushes my macro system to the limit in an attempt to show more details in the hypothallus and stalk. It is interesting to see how the folds in the transparent sheath of the stalk act like micro lenses to refract the contents of the center. Similar to looking through a glass block. Enjoy!
Walt