Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Z/Alphabe-Thursday

 Zebra mussels under a bridge on Trent-Severn Waterway

ZEBRA mussels - fresh water mollusks - are invading the five Great Lakes and waterways in between. It's thought that more than two decades ago, zebra mussels hitch-hiked their way to the Lake St. Clair in the ballast of ships.

Because zebra mussels have no natural enemies in the Great Lakes area, they spread and have become a problem. Apparently the mussels filter algae from the water, removing food that larval fish and other invertebrates - now in decline - would have eaten.

Closer view of Zebra mussels

On the other hand, many native birds, fish and other animals eat zebra mussels. Some duck populations have changed their migratory routes to take advantage of these tasty morsels.  And fish such as small-mouthed bass, perch, sunfish and lake sturgeon have increased in some areas heavily invaded by zebra mussels.

FYI: I took these photos when the water was low so they had been out of the water for a while.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

45 comments:

Andy said...

Nice photos Camera Girl. Last fall I was at my nephew's cottage near Havelock, Ont. The river and lake beds are full of these creatures.

MadSnapper said...

we have many invasive things here in Florida also. these do make for a beautiful photo though. glad they have some good for food.

Jill said...

They are troublesome but these photos are terrific.

Kathy said...

Zebra mussels have been in Arizona for a number of years now and if they are not controlled they will eventually clog the canal system which drains water from the Colorado river and provides hydroelectric power to most of the Western states!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Nice pic, I've read about them and the trouble they cause.

Darla said...

Too bad they disturb the natural way of things there - but a great "Z" entry.

Darla

Susan said...

I've watched a couple of TV shows on the destructive mussels in the Great Lakes. So sad those little creatures can do so much damage.
The photos are awesome as usual!

TexWisGirl said...

we're starting to get them in lakes near dallas now, too. yikes!

Lois Evensen said...

Fascinating. It's a good thing that there is another animal to eat them or they would take over the world.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Fascinating looking critters! I am glad too that other critters can eat them or else it's not a good thing!

Paul in Powell River said...

Ships aren't allowed to sump ballast water anymore - another case of changing the rules a wee bit too late.

Jack said...

Zebra mussels are bad, bad, bad! They clog industrial piping. If the Asian carp gets to the Great Lakes, the problems they cause might eclipse even these nasty zebra mussels.

RedPat said...

Informative post EG!

Walk in New York said...

des belles photos , on dirait des amies qui papotent

Publicity ;o) Every Friday (and the Weekend), The Challenge "Walk In The Street Photography"

Elisa N Viajes said...

So many details!
Bravo!
Greetings

Anonymous said...

Great shots, the open ones look like they are laughing!

Pat Tillett said...

That is a terrible thing. People should start eating them as well. I understand that if the water they grow in is non-toxic, they can be pretty tasty if prepared correctly.

cieldequimper said...

If they are edible, eating them might be a solution...

Anonymous said...

How beautiful these photos are, from textures to tones, the eye views a textural feast.

My name is Riet said...

We have lots of mussels but I never heard of zebra mussels. Learned something today here. Great find.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I love seeing, photographing at low water times...

great shots!

Judie said...

Love your photos!! ARE they edible? Has anyone tried them?

VBR said...

Isn't it mind boggling to see how the ecosystem can be unbalanced by the introduction of a species that is not meant to be there? What an informative Z post. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how something so simple as a zebra mussel can change the entire ecosystem.

Janie said...

That's a great Z choice, very unusual. they don't look that tasty to me, but obviously a lot of creatures enjoy them.

Stephanie said...

Nice shots! I love mussels, so are these edible?

Randy said...

Interesting.

Gillian Olson said...

Nice pictures, I have heard of them but never seen them until now.

Roan said...

Interesting information. I haven't seen them around here, and hope not to. Nice photos, though.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh my- those are some troublesome little beasts aren't they? Great captures though.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Good shoot! Like one of your readers said, maybe people need to eat them, too. That's one way to help reduce their population.

Ziggy

Cathy Kennedy said...

PS: I am now your newest follower! ;) ~Cathy

Kate said...

Just had some mussels as part of a meal, but I think they're tastier for humans than these. Anything that threatens the Great Lakes is definitely a worry.

21 Wits said...

They look so lovely here, but yes we too are warned about them at every boat landing...and we must be sure to stop their growth!

Susan Anderson said...

Hopefully, the balance of nature will continue to right itself as natural predators change their courses and make adjustments.

=)

Susan Anderson said...

Hopefully, the balance of nature will continue to right itself as natural predators change their courses and make adjustments.

=)

Lmkazmierczak said...

Such an education! Nice blog♫♪

anitamombanita said...

That was interesting. Way to go on a unique take on Z.

Naperville Now said...

so are the shells striped (thus zebra?. here's to finding a solution for protection.

Splendid Little Stars said...

great photos!
You do give another perspective on an invasive species. Somebody IS eating them afterall, even though the patterns of other species is changing.

Annesphamily said...

I L O V E informative posts! This Z is exceptionally interesting. Thank you for sharing and for the beautiful photos. Come visit soon and have a great weekend!

Lola said...

Hi again!

Visiting from Mrs Matlock’s, many thanks for stopping by.

Great post – zceptionally apt.

Have a great weekend too!

Jenny said...

I've read about these mussels before but I've never seen a picture of them.

It's sad when something invades native areas...this post made me think of the kudzu vines in the south.

Thanks for a thought provoking and interesting link for the letter 'Z'.

I've really enjoyed visiting you this round!

A+

Erika said...

Great photos! And I enjoyed learning about the mussels and how birds have changed their route for them.

Rose said...

I have heard about these...

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.