MicroSafari – Blepharisma

This episode of my ongoing Microsafari series features an unusual single celled protist names Blepharisma. I looks a lot like the very familiar Paramecium, but you'll see that it's clearly different!

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Preposterous & Pink!

On a visit to the Fort Worth Zoo last week I spent some time  really watching the flamingos. The more I watched them and zoomed in on them with my 400 mm lens the more preposterous they seemed to become. After sifting the water for food, they would raise their heads up and always seemed to have a perplexed look as if they were startled that the world was still there all around them.  I was particularly taken by the beads of water than remained on their feather. I think these add a nice touch to this image.

Their bill is also a bit on the preposterous side as it seems so awkward up close. It also appears more leathery than I ever expected.

Oh, in case you did not notice, they are preposterously pink in color as well ! This is a result of their diet and the fact that they extract the pigment beta carotene (among others) from the microbes and zooplankton they sieve from the water. These pigments are then added to the growing feathers. A young flamingo appears grey until it has eaten enough to begin to turn its plumage pink.

Pink Flamingo

Ft. Worth Zoo

Click in the image to see it in the original gallery.

For more cool animals...visit the CAMERA CRITTERS meme!