After about one year of silent lurking, i think i owe you some response.
I really enjoy your work, countless of outstanding photographs,
and interestening comments on them.
Beginning with a serious approach in microscopy in april 2005,
i still struggle with the usual hurdles for amateur microsopists
(which mic, which cam, which whatever, and how...).
Probably a life long process... ;- )
About one year ago, in a green city pond in Weinheim, there was an algeal
"big meeting", the water deep green, and i was already in a state in which
green water has completely lost its untasty image.
I found nice specimens, from which i learned that they are common,
and took a photograph using the illumination method of Martin Kreutz:
It should be a Pediastrum boryanum.
A closer look showed that the tips of the colony do carry hair:
Probably for improvement of swimming style. ;- )
Do you also have these pediastrum out there in the world ?
Kindest regards,
Norman
Welcome againand make sure you tell your friends about us also 
These are good pictures and interesting information. Certainly I have never seen these beasts before, though I'm sure the other folks will tell me that's because I don't spend enough time looking through my microscope. 
