Dedicated to Kerry Yurewicz, Biology Faculty Member at Plymouth State University, check out her video of fairy shrimp, https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQ_4aYnA2c/
Species, common indicator
Look sooner, rather than later
completely dependent on vernal pools
small, but bigger than molecules
hard to see, even if you gaze
during their aquatic life phase
in the egg or larval stage
feeding on their backs at this age
free swimming, fun filter feeders
hungry omnivorous breeders
optimizing food consumption
using legs is the assumption
rhythmically water filtering
with their many legs flickering
for algae they really rally
eating crustaceans that dally
varying color, shape and size
surviving before the pool dries
in New England, two species found
in the north pools, Knob-lipped abound
Delicate bodies transparent
But Fairy shrimp are apparent
Magnify with a microscope
You will see life forms and have hope
No more Habitat destruction
From so much human construction
We need to protect vernal pools
And not ruin their homes like fools