Lichens

[Jon]

I went to North Wales, initially to sus out a Black Grouse leck. The weather was poor, it rained all day. I remained optimistic and managed to grab a couple of quick point and shoot in the rain shots. I was fascinated by this miniature world, I must return in better weather.

[goosey]

Interesting photo's Jon, I suppose it's so easy to miss these little gems, they do deserve a bit of recognition as they are so lovely.
A few weeks back I painted our yard wall and left a bit where lichens and moss had taken hold, my husband and kids thought I was mad. But tiny insects were living in it and it was a interesting little environment - they must be there for a reason in the greater scheme of things or wouldn't be growing there. Admittedly they are not quite as pretty as the ones in your photo.

[Gill Catton]

Yes I love that of Wales, I have seen quite a bit of what you illustrate and I think they're gorgeous, the one with the red tops my boss used to call pixie cups and I can see some Cladonia in your third pic - otherwise known as airfix kit trees (or reindeer moss) and it has such a nice texture.

I keep meaning to venture into the world of Lichen ID and occasionally I try but find it difficult - there's so many! One day I'll succeed!!

[Kerry]

I live in Wales and at this time of year when the scenery is so bleak, the fungi, lichens and mosses add colour to the landscape. I need extension tubes to be able to photograph some of them, as they so are tiny that my Sigma 105mm has difficulty showing them up well.

Kerry

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Kerry

I live in Wales and at this time of year when the scenery is so bleak, the fungi, lichens and mosses add colour to the landscape. I need extension tubes to be able to photograph some of them, as they so are tiny that my Sigma 105mm has difficulty showing them up well.

Kerry

I have done a fair amount of work in Wales, mostly the Rhondda valleys and I actually preferred the colours in the autumn and winter, all russets, oranges and yellows of the sunburnt grasses and bracken, the purple browns of the heather and leafless limbs of silver birch, the range of greens from the pale pastle- blue/green of the lichen covered oak trees, dark of the conifer plantations to the yellow green of pastures dotted with sheep and ponies, the purple greys in the scree sides of the hills....... gorgeous I thought.........

[smartie]

Oooh Gill, what a wonderful picture you paint. I used to feel the same about my native Northumberland.

I think I might make a start on trying to learn to identify mosses and lichens this year. I find them very attractive and almost impossibly difficult to photograph. Not got the right equipment, I suspect (physical, mental and camera! )

[mrs fish]

Lovely photos

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Yes I love that of Wales, I have seen quite a bit of what you illustrate and I think they're gorgeous, the one with the red tops my boss used to call pixie cups and I can see some Cladonia in your third pic - otherwise known as airfix kit trees (or reindeer moss) and it has such a nice texture.

I keep meaning to venture into the world of Lichen ID and occasionally I try but find it difficult - there's so many! One day I'll succeed!!

The red-tipped lichens are also a Cladonia species- I think there are about 3 similar species, so I wouldn't like to say which one.

[arvensis]

Apparently graveyards with the old headstones are good for Lichens - over 100 species can be recorded in 1 graveyard.

Mark

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by arvensis

Apparently graveyards with the old headstones are good for Lichens - over 100 species can be recorded in 1 graveyard.

Mark

If you want to find out more about them there's a laminated FSC chart of these + one for rocky shores + I think there's a 3rd lichen one which I can't remember, possibly a more general one on common species.