Lichens in the sun

We've not had many sunny days recently, but here is a lichen-covered willow positively glowing in the sunshine.
Malcolm

Festooning lichen

A larch tree festooned with lichen, exact species unknown, but certainly of the genus Usnea.
Malcolm

The Eastern Hinterland

A couple of weeks ago I traversed boggy moorland between Sanaigmore and Gruinart. On Monday my friend Jane and I ventured further east to visit land which I suspected had seldom been subjected to the weight of human feet. With low late November light I stopped often to take photographs of the late autumn colours; it really was magnificent. We passed Loch Laingeadail with its tiny crannog and Loch an Fhir Mhòr which is where my theory that we were almost on uncharted territory fell apart - for what did we come across but a veritable ruined settlement. Apparently it dates from the 19th century and comprises 5 buildings with remains of wall also extant. This little settlement is well worth a visit for it has a huge slate lintel above the fireplace and tiny stone cupboards built into the remaining walls. Trouble is, you have to traipse across sinky bog to reach it. Oh well! I apologised to Jane for telling a lie - I'd asked whether she wanted to come on a boring, featureless and boggy walk; she'd agreed - on that basis - and it turned out to be boggy, yes, but also full of features and definitely not boring. We saw Snipe, Raven and Stonechat, very interesting, colourful fenceposts, goose droppings and lots of lichens. Who's up for another 'boring' walk! For more information on the crannog on Loch Laingeadail, visit http://alturl.com/82hiv. For more information about the ruined settlement near Loch an Fhir Mhòr, see http://alturl.com/wppyk.

Becky

Crannog on Loch Laingeadail

Ruins near Loch an Fhir Mhòr

Red Deer running towards Sanaigmore

Goose droppings in an unusual place

Fencepost (the first for a while!)

Flavoparmelia caperata

Cladonia portentosa ('Reindeer Moss')

Another Cladonia sp

Final Photos from Kintour Ramble

Hoverfly (Helophilus sp)

Lichen - Cladonia spp.

Delicate fungus - mycena sp

Petticoat Mottlegil - Panaeolus papilionaseus.

Foliose Lichens

It's one of those days again and I thought I'd rummage through my lichen photos to bring you more lichen joy!

These are foliose lichens - that means they can be peeled from their substrate (although obviously we would never do that!) and they're kind of leafy. I'm pretty sure of the identification of all of them, but am prepared to be corrected . . . Just look at the different colours!
Becky

Anaptychia runcinata - This beautiful bronze-coloured lichen turns green when wet.

On a stone at Ardnave - Physcia adscendens (white) amongst Xanthoria parietina (yellow). This beautiful lichen has 'eyelashes' or cilia visible through a hand lens. The Xanthoria is plentiful round Islay's coasts.

Physconia distorta (I think) with Physcia adscendens - on fence at Gruinart

Melanelixia subaurifera (I think) - same fence at Gruinart

Crustose Lichens

With a broken camera and not much sunshine (except for today when I was tidying my shed!) I decided it was time to post some lichen photos on here. During the nature rambles this year I found myself almost apologising for diverting everyone from the bigger, more 'in your face' flora and fauna in order to study the unassuming but bountiful lichens adorning fenceposts, boulders and stone walls. To my delight I discovered that, far from being bored, most people actually seemed to thoroughly enjoy this diversion (either that or they were good at feigning an interest!) Now I am far from being an expert, but I'm going to post some crustose lichen photos here. These are the type that are kind of 'glued' to their substrate.
Becky

Haematomma ochroleucum (with immature red apothecia (fruiting bodies)

Rhizocarpon reductum

Lecanora campestris

Ochrolechia parella or 'Fish-eye' Lichen

The Kilchoman Cross

Kilchoman Cross stands in the burial ground of Kilchoman Parish Church. Dating from the 14th or 15th century, it is a fine example of West Highland medieval sculpture. An inscription on the cross shaft indicates it was erected by Thomas, son of Patrick, the doctor. It is likely that Thomas and his father belonged to the family of hereditary physicians to the Lords of the Isles who held the nearby lands at Ballinaby and who later adopted the name of Beaton.


http://www.ambaile.org.uk/

© Copyright Julian Dowse and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
http://www.geograph.org.uk/reuse.php?id=341154

The surface of the cross is heavily encrusted with lichens.  Thanks to Ian for this detail shot