Lichens growing on a slate grave stone in Capel Curig.
Lichens are formed from green or blue green alga and a fungus- that join together in a mutually beneficial relationship. So says my library book, and who am I to argue, I just think they look amazing
Watching the rhythm of rural life, from the top of a hill in northern England.
Having spent most of my life avoiding writing, I now need to do it!
I am no domestic goddess, but if I were expecting visitors to my home, I would whisk round with the duster and plump up the cushions and generally make the place look presentable. I hope that by putting my words where others may see them it will encourage me to ‘tidy up and push the Hoover around’ my writing.
On the other hand I may just be adding to the compost heap. Only time will tell!
Pull up a chair, sit yourself down, I’ll put the kettle on.
Once upon a time I went on a hike with, among others, a naturalist who specialized in lichens. She could identify more than 400 different ones. While most of us peered through binoculars (or just watched our feet) she was inspecting tiny lichens through her magnifying glass. I love listening to people explain their obsessions, and I followed her around like a puppy.
Your gorgeous photo would get that naturalist going for sure. She would tell us all about it, in depth, while I tried to figure out whether the gravestone belonged to one of my Civil War veterans. People and our obsessions.
I love your lichen photos. I was inspired by Autumnwatch a couple of weeks ago to go out and take photos of lichen. It’s one of those things that just gets ignored because it isn’t showy but I think they’re beautiful.
November 8, 2011 at 6:38 pm
I love Lichen! Great colours and variety of forms, the curly green ones in the trees and the ones that grow on rocks… Lovely picture…
November 9, 2011 at 1:38 am
You are right – the lichen form a beautiful natural artwork. They – and you! – are very creative
November 9, 2011 at 9:17 am
Fascinating! xx
November 9, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Once upon a time I went on a hike with, among others, a naturalist who specialized in lichens. She could identify more than 400 different ones. While most of us peered through binoculars (or just watched our feet) she was inspecting tiny lichens through her magnifying glass. I love listening to people explain their obsessions, and I followed her around like a puppy.
Your gorgeous photo would get that naturalist going for sure. She would tell us all about it, in depth, while I tried to figure out whether the gravestone belonged to one of my Civil War veterans. People and our obsessions.
November 9, 2011 at 5:38 pm
They are so beautiful! Who knew fungus could be so lovely?
November 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm
I love your lichen photos. I was inspired by Autumnwatch a couple of weeks ago to go out and take photos of lichen. It’s one of those things that just gets ignored because it isn’t showy but I think they’re beautiful.
November 13, 2011 at 8:56 pm
The best time for lichen spotting is to go for a walk on a foggy day, it forces you to see the world in close up.
November 18, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Simply beautiful….. at first it reminded me of a Pollock painting but, no this deserves a category of it’s own. Good eye!