For many years I have been interested in lichens. These little “critters” are a symbiotic organism. The contain both algal and fungal components. What really got me going with them are the members of the genus Cladonia. These are commonly referred to as the British soldiers lichens, pixie cups, funnel lichens and powderhorns. I usually find them growing on logs, posts and sometimes on the ground, if high is rotting woody plants. Few of them get to be more than an inch (25 mm) high.
The other day we went to Hudson Mills Metropark in Washtenaw County, Michigan and I spent some time photographing these little beauties.
These are gritty British soldiers, which are much “bumpier” than the typical British soldiers caps.
I believe that the tall ones in the background are powdered funnels.
I’m still working on these. They were barely 1/2 inch (12-13 mm) tall.
There are at least three species in this mass of Cladonia.
More work to be done with these. Then it was time to look at lichens growing on rusty metal.
I am amazed at lichens growing on metal, they must be gathering much of their nutrients from the rust.
But, we must all take the time to eat. I see chicken tikka masala in my future. About every 5-6 months I make a new batch of garam masala, and Susan is putting it to good use.
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 