freshwater – Nature Journeys

No Seashells Here

x8 images. Double click to enlarge.

Here are a selection of ‘freshwater’ shells found near the edge of a local canal. The Asian Clam is a rapidly spreading invasive species which was unknown in Britain before October 1998. Originated in China, Korea, south-eastern Russia, and the Ussuri Basin. The first time it has been recorded in this neck of the woods. There are three cardinal teeth in each valve raditaing from the beaks. The latteral teeth are serrated and flattened.

The Painter’s Mussel, an elongate shell, was used by artists in the past to hold their paints, hence its name.

Duck Mussel *Anodonta (Anodonta) anatina*

The Duck Mussel is one of our largest freshwater bivalves. It also occupies the greatest diversity of habitats of any large mussel, including lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and canals.

The River Snail requires water with a high oxygen content.

07/2108/21 by Peter Hillman Categories: Slugs & SnailsTags: Asian Clam Corbicula fluminea, freshwater 6 Comments

Microscopic Life

Simocephalus vetulus – I really needed a microscope to capture this very peculiar freshwater life form, so apologies in advance as this is not as clear as some of my other images, as I was really trying to attempt the impossile with a camera, and handheld to add. But I wanted to show you something you may have not seen before.

This semi-transparent microscopic organism is actually a crustacean, which also includes crabs and lobsters. It feeds by filtering small phytoplankton (microscopic marine algae) species from the surrounding water. It is found in freshwater environments like small ponds, ditches, and canals. It is known as an early colonist of newly constructed ponds, or after disturbances in established water bodies.

08/2008/20 by Peter Hillman Categories: PhotographyTags: freshwater, Nature, Nature Healing, Nature Photography, Simocephalus vetulus 38 Comments

Yellow Water-lily

Nuphar lutea – Another lily I discovered on the canal, and for such a small flower it has quite large leaves of which frogs could hop to and fro from if they so wished.