FIRST SURVEY POST OF SEASON 2020 … ON OUR NEW SITE!

June 20, 2020 — Zone #7

On 6/19 I watched a webinar set up by LSM (Lake Stewards of Maine) on Metaphyton (aka Filamentous Algae.) Don posted that in our library.

Today I wanted to go out and see if I might find some (along with whatever else) in my zone. I noticed that growth of all native plants (especially Bladderwort) appeared sparse and short in height; Watershields are beginning to show a presence; Pickerelweed’s purple flowers were all nipped by the geese. I did find small clumps of green cloud-like Filamentous Algae lingering on many plant stalks especially in the Deans’ bay, right next to Marble Island.

Photos are included:

#1 A small clump of water shields around which was a combination of green Filamentous Algae, a strand of fish eggs in a milky white substance called “milt” holding them together, a waterlogged dragonfly next to eggs it had apparently laid and now progressing to different larvae stages and then, the treasure, a really teeny red water mite (!) floating along on the edge of it.

#2 GPS photo of Aquatic Moss, adhered to a rock and right next to it was Freshwater Sponge, adhered to another rock.