Vorticella

The name "Vorticella" is from the Latin "vortex" meaning whirlpool; from some of the video footage in this tribute to Vorticella, you can easily see the "whirlpools" they can create!
The opening picture of this video, "Vorticella convallaria", was drawn by naturalist C.G. Ehrenberg in 1838. He pioneered research on living and fossil microorganisms (including protists and bacteria) since the 1830s, by collecting samples from all over the world.
Vorticella are identified by their bell-shaped bodies and long stalks that attach to a substrate. Their bodies range from 30 to 40 micrometers; their stalks can grow up to 100 micrometers in length.
Vorticellas eat bacteria and small protozoans. They can be found in fresh or salt water attached to aquatic plants, surface scum, submerged objects, or aquatic animals. Although vorticellas are often found in clusters, each stalk is fastened independently.
I captured this collection of photos and videos using a Tomlov DM202 Max digital microscope.
Original song/video "Time Unmarked" by My-Fi Saloon @my-fisaloon8370