I am new to this forum, and have been practicing microphotography for about a year. I don't think my best photos are as good as what I've seen posted here, but this little critter has me by the curiosity bump.
I am guessing that it is a variation of a Heliozoan, but they are very small. The critter in these three shots is easally twice the size of the ones I usually find (that have a similar apperance).
I've included the 'C' picture in for the heck of it. I don't really think it shows anything the 'A' shot doesn't. The 'B' shot is deliberately exposed that way to show the length of the 'tenticles'.
These critters are able to retract their Axopodia (if that is what they are) at an amazingly fast rate, and will sometimes extend more than twice as long as what you see here.
I feel pretty lucky to have found one this large. I've photographed other heliozoans that are huge by comparison. Normally, these are so small that it is difficult to make out any interior details. It is nearly impossible for my microscope to make out the axopodia in brightfiled or oblique. I can just catch what I will call a 'hint' of structure, but nothing definate. Otherwise, it shows up as a small, circular protozoa in brightfield.
Thanks for your input!
All taken in Darkfiled AO H20, 20X Semi-APO, 40X Semi-APO. Canon 50D, ISO 100