Golden snowflakes

[Equilibrium]

Just kidding but don't they look like it.

[jpdenk]

Lichens are cool, and nice photos. They do sort of resemble snowflakes in shape.

They're one thing I don't have a field guide for. Anyone know of a good one?

John

[Equilibrium]

I really thought those were beautiful too. There was a little bit of a breeze that day and the sun kept poking in and out from the clouds so I did have a hard time getting photos I liked because of the shadows from the trees.
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Eeesh.... composite organisms are toughies. I've tried looking up a few I've photographed online and pretty much come up empty handed every time. I've never taken any classes that went into any depth on em either. I do have a few publications that discuss lichens and their niche but no actual field guide here. I wish I could suggest something but... you ARE my field guide for treats like this just like suunto IS my field guide for bugs!!

[NEWisc]

Originally Posted by jpdenk

Lichens are cool, and nice photos. They do sort of resemble snowflakes in shape.

They're one thing I don't have a field guide for. Anyone know of a good one?

John

This is the one that I use:
Lichens of the North Woods (North Woods Naturalist Guides) [Paperback]: Joe Walewski: Amazon.com: Books

It's not a scientific treatise or anything like that, but I find it to be an excellent guide for the amateur enthusiast level. I think the reviews at the link are a good description of the book. If you have seen any of the Kollath-Stensaas Publishing's 'North Woods Naturalist Series' it will give you a good idea of what the book is like.

It doesn't seem to be currently available from Amazon, but this book is often found in many nature oriented stores and probably from some other book sellers. I have seen some cases of wild overpricing in the past, so just for a reference the retail price printed on the back cover is $18.95.
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[Sage]

Shows Out of Stock but under used, prices go to $999! Yikes! I need one too~

[NEWisc]

Speaking of lichens, I recently came across one of my favorites.

British Soldiers (Cladonia cristatella)



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[jpdenk]

Nice shot, NEWisc! I see them around here too on occasion.

Seems like all the really decent lichen books are a bit on the expensive side, so I won't be buying any of them any time soon.

[NEWisc]

Thank you. That little splash of red always seems to brighten up a walk in the woods. And they are often part of a picturesque scene on some fallen log.
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[Equilibrium]

Sorta in line with golden snowflakes.... here's some yellow snow in summer.

[jpdenk]

Equilibrium, nice shot of a bright yellow slime mold, probably Physarum polycephalum, crawling around looking for something tasty to envelop.

It's the creeping blob!!!