These are the winning photos in the 2012 "Small World via microscope" competition organized by Olympus.
>>>Photo taken through the most beautiful microscope in 2012
Red algae branches (brown) are 'showing off' their spores (red), while yellow diatoms - another type of microalgae - bunch together like brilliantly colored leaves.
The photograph of spores of a common fern on the East Coast of the United States has the scientific name Polypodium virginianum.
Images of claws of a tiny group of two-legged crustaceans called amphipods, show clusters of pigment cells (reddish-brown) and muscles (white).
Wheel spiders, tiny invertebrates are often found in ponds and lakes. They use cilia to create streams of water to suck in food.
This single-celled green algae live mainly in the oceans, but is also present in freshwater areas.
A close-up shot of a hard coral mushroom mouth when it opens.
The brain of the fruit fly larvae. The eye-splitting disks, the cell clusters that form the eyes in mature fruit flies can be seen at the top of the image.
Reproductive organs include stamens, anthers and stamens of nettle (scientific name is Lamium amplexicaule). This species is native to Europe and the Mediterranean and is considered an 'invasion' species in the United States.
General image of the Delphinium flower (Delphinium). This flower is quite toxic and is the cause of many pet deaths in the United States.
The scales on the wings of the beautiful butterfly, scientifically known as the Panacea Prola, reflect light and produce vibrant colors as shown in the picture.
