Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Any ideas what this is?

Saw this floating on the pond this morning, never seen anything like it...it has to be unnaturally introduced which worries me a bit. The color is reddish rust

I've seen similar scum in mine before but not quite that red. Generally shows up this time of year at my place. After a rain it's usually gone. I've always thought it was pollen???

I would bet it is natural - plankton most likely.

Pollen

Agree
Pine pollen down here can look fluorescent yellow on the water

My guess based on location and the density of the green (phytoplankton) bloom the red is a red euglena bloom.

Take a look at this thread: What is this?

I looked at some pics on google and I do think you are correct...good call. It's the first I've seen it here

I agree with ewest, this looks like eugelena. Eugelena is usually associated with livestock or geese, or some sort of organic inputs in the watershed. Like tranquility referenced, it usually comes and goes with the rain, and I don't think herbicide does much to it.

Euglena can cause reddish or greenish films depending on the species of Euglena. Numerous other algae can cause colored films. SK's film is likely Euglena, but I wouldn't bet a lot of money on it.

Me either Bill. I would bet that it is some natural plankton or cyanobacteria etc.

See this thread (not you Bill but others)

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=33713

It bunched up in a corner so was able to get some better pics

Good pics. See the post above yours with the link. No change in my opinion - plankton (dead) and or cyanobacteria etc.

FYI the grey/white stuff is cytoplasm from dead/ruptured plankton/cyanobacteria etc. cells.

I found the origin of this, it is a tree, not sure of the type but the fruit is dropping in to the pond and creating this scum. When touching the fruit, the orange pollen gets all over your finger. What type of tree is this...Pear? Ive never seen this on the tree since I've been here which is 4 years now

Pollen

You may want to google "cedar apple rust". When Bradford Pears get infected, they look very similar to your picture.

I'd cut it down whatever it is.. Unless you like the haunted lagoon slime look.

That is a a hawthorn tree, looks like a Washington hawthorn and yes the disease attack the fruit is cedar apple rust. You can spray to prevent it if you wish to keep the tree but want to skip having the nastiness all over your pond surface.

The pond looks like it is having a scum problem and the afore mentioned tree is pointing that out.

I never ever did see anything about surface tension on this site.
Maybe I missed it!

Is there something I can spray on there that will whack the fungus real quick and I'll deal with the tree later? I really could care less about the tree, it is on the front side of the Dam on the end, just don't feel like dealing with the removal at the moment

Though it looks like it on the pics I posted, the scum problem isn't too bad, like always worse in the corners on windy days

Just let it go til you want to remove it.. I doubt it's causing any harm, just unappealing to the eye..