Wednesday 15 February 2017

Looking closely at lichen

I find lichen totally fascinating, though I know they are notoriously difficult to even begin to identify to species level. So I'm resigned to just enjoying them! What particularly drew me to this lichen growing on the sea wall at Musselburgh was the way the light was shining on the fruiting bodies (the darker yellow, disc like structures) - click on the photo for a larger view!

The green plant in the photo is a moss, I can only identify one moss to species level and it isn't this one! I like the contrast between the colours of the lichen and the moss.

Lovely to hear the skylarks singing at full volume today!

8 comments:

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I love lichen on gravestones, the colour variation you get.

Hopefully skylarks won't be too perturbed by the wind turbines that have sprung up near a nest site of theirs just out of town here.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Hi Simon - yes, the colours of lichens are amazing! I hope your skylarks are okay, ours are thriving at Musselburgh (or seem to be).

Caroline Gill said...

The cups (once enlarged) remind me of Scarlet Elf Cup fungi (different colour, of course, but the shape is similar). How lovely to have skylarks.

Jenn Jilks said...

I now what you mean! They are so interesting. Take care.

Sabine said...

Thanks for this. I am totally fascinated by lichen. My mother used to collect a certain type in the forest and made cough medicine from it. She always told us that lichen growth is the best indication for clean air.

sage said...

Even the small parts of creation are amazing!

Lynn said...

So lovely to have the skylark serenade while you were at peace with nature.

Lowcarb team member said...

There are so many wonderful things that nature provides ...
Lovely colours in your photograph

All the best Jan