161/366: Orange Fungus Collage (+4 enlarged images in notes)

(+4 images in notes to see larger versions)

The joy of a macro lens is the ability to bring into focus the ridiculously tiny things that all of us usually don't--or can't--see. This collage shows a wonderful example. I found tiny orange specks on the underside of some branches and immediately got excited because the edges were white. However, when I looked through my macro lens, I whooped in delight to see that the edges were so fuzzy! There were thousands of these tiny little fungi! (By the way, I'm not 100% certain these aren't lichen...if you know one way or the other, please let me know so I can identify them properly.) :)

I was actually forced to create a collage to show these because they are so very, very small. About the size of the head of a pin! At first I was unhappy that I couldn't get a larger image, but after I created the collage, I was delighted because I can show lots of them. Aren't they wonderful? To me they look like tasty little orange tarts with some sort of special spun meringue edging. YUMMY! :D