The hidden life in pond water from Daniel Stoupin on Vimeo.

We don’t need to dive into the deep ocean to find the most unusual lifeforms. This short clip is a journey into a bizarre world of microscopic inhabitants of pond water.

You will see water fleas, bryozoans, water mites, mayfly nymphs, ostracods, and, of course, hydras. They jump, crawl, and float in a completely alien environment filled with mesmerizing algae and bushes of ciliates on stalks.

This video uses image that I made through a biological microscope and macro lenses. I believe that macro work added more depth and allows seeing whole animals in a more natural environment. The average size of the animals filmed was less than 1 mm.

Visit my website for more images: microworldsphotography.com

Cameras used: Canon EOS 7D and Sony NEX-7. Microscope: Zeiss Axioscope A1. Macro lens: mp-e 65 mm. Plus many additional tools. Although I spent about a week of filming, it took more than a year of preparations, developing the skills, and learning how to find animals… especially in autumn.

Would like to thank every friend who contributed to making this video!