Jumping Dust

You have probably seen these little critters -- often called snow fleas -- on the snow without realizing they were animals. (You'll want to see the larger version to pick them out.) Thin, dark-colored creatures less than a couple of millimeters long usually go unnoticed. These little springtails, Hypogastrura nivicola (Order Collembola) look a lot like tiny bits of mold or soil most of the year, and in the winter, they look like dust or tiny bits of plant matter that has fallen on the snow -- until you notice that one bit of "dirt" suddenly disappears and magically appears somewhere else. Using a forked appendage under their body that clings to a tiny stump, and then is "flicked" downward, they propel themselves into the air at invisible speed.

Scientists have discovered unique proteins in them that act as anti-freeze, preventing crystallization of their bodies in sub-freezing temperatures.

Tomorrow I'll try to post a closer view.

Canon 5D2; Canon 24-105mm.
f/14 @ 1/40 sec.; ISO 320
Semi-hand-held (resting resting on ski pole)