My outings are few and far between at the moment. We are busy with scheduled visits from the Hospice folks, deliveries of medications, and crappy weather. [I'm still trying to figure out some sort of schedule]
I did get out for a bit with Charlie and we went hunting for some little things. I went to the creek to look for Lichen and mosses.
By the rock vents above this section of the creek, there were still icicles hanging from the rocks above Snakeskin Liverwort. That has to be the coolest of all names for a Liverwort.
By the rock vents above this section of the creek, there were still icicles hanging from the rocks above Snakeskin Liverwort. That has to be the coolest of all names for a Liverwort.
Snakeskin Liverwort Lichen loves cool, damp, shady places. It loves growing by this rock vent of cold air. Even in the driest of summers, it is damp here.
I found an oak limb that had a colorful array of lichens on it.
I don't know all the names of the lichens on this limb, but I thought it made such a colorful patchwork of colors.
March is the perfect month to search for Lichen
if you are lucky, you can find one branch
if you are lucky, you can find one branch
with quite a variety on them.
Even with a record temperature of 79 F, we still had ice in the valley. Charlie cooled his feet.
I take it a bit at a time especially since NOAA has given us a Winter Weather Advisory that could give us rain and then some snow or up to 8" of heavy wet snow. Trying to do it all at once is a miserable long job.
I could hire a yard sweeper to come out and do it, but that could cost the minimum of $200. Anyway, that was the rate last year when I considered it. With the economy looking a bit iffy, I'm not willing to spend the extra money just to make things easy right now.
If we get significant snow again, we'll get another plow and more gravel will be piled in the yard so I will leave my piles for when the snows are all done.
While waiting and waiting hours for a delivery from FedEx, I decided to do some more creative photography.
Other news updates---->
We have Robins, Redwing Blackbirds, and Blue birds in our yard!
[This may be the first year that I haven't gone to KVR to look for water fowl and and other migrating birds. I may have to see if I can 'shoot' some nearer the house]
...and I am waiting for an opportunity to go look for the first Flower of Spring. The Skunk Cabbage.
I'm so glad you got to go out and explore! Nature does rest the soul and the photos of the lichen are so interesting. I am sure things will go easier once you can get on some kind of schedule!
ReplyDeleteI love lichen, especially the brilliant yellow ones. You spotted some great ones. I'm glad you're getting out a bit.
ReplyDeleteI have to do the same thing but our driveway is shorter than yours! Country living at its finest. I like Lichens too, you captured some nice photos:)
ReplyDeleteI like your shots of the multicoloured lichens and mosses -- so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLichens greatly fascinate me, but they are difficult to identify. I recently bought a really good guide and that is helping quite a bit. I have been in more northerly areas where they coat the rocks with an amazing array of colours. So spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty good guide too. I didn't get it out when I took these. I love their colors and enjoy their pretty neat common names. They really do shine when nothing else does in the forest.
DeleteI have found huge rocks with several different colors and kinds of lichen in our county!
That you actually know the specific names of some lichen is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThey are so hard to ID. But I still enjoy figuring out the obvious ones!
DeleteIt is amazing how beautiful lichen is. You are busy so getting even a little time outside is a blessing. 79. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy seeing lichen! We have lots on the dead elms.
ReplyDeleteI hear you about schedules. It helps me. I try not to volunteer mornings, and take them for myself.
All the best.