Lately this past month and a half I have been working with the eminent neuroscientist/ marine biologist and photographer Dr. Joseph A. DeGiorgis (faculty at Providence College and School of Visual Arts). He instructing me on the finer points of examining and photographing the miniature life in English Kills. I have been trying to photograph and video killifish, shrimp and ribbed mussels under the microscope at the SVA Nat Lab.
The killifish have featured prominently in my videos. But in this photo I was able to record evidence of phosphorescent spots that I never knew existed.
The shrimp is a recent resident of English Kills.This summer was the first time I have seen them in this part of the basin. Normally they are in other parts closer to the main artery of the Creek. Im amazed how complex their bodies are.
Ribbed mussel are native the Creek.
I have recently introduced them close to the CSO of EK (see the Mussel habitats link). My observation under the dissecting microscope revealed an amazing ecosystem that exist on their shell substrate. Like for instance this anemone.
I found this critter that seems to feast on the regurgitation of the mussel filters.
The lips and filters of the mussels was the most difficult to capture. They are quite shy and seem to sense when other being approach them and are sensitive to light.
Of course, barnacles are a usual tenants of the mussel's substrate.
This blog should be my public journal. I have been keeping my thought and observations and writing my experiences of the English Kills Project in private for years. One day I hope to turn this into a book. But I need to share more and I hope that Im beginning to do this now.