Mosses and Lichens

Lichens found and photographed on a hike along the Marston Creek Trail, Kananaskis, on 3rd August 2009.

A rather beautiful patch of Lichen growing in Weaselhead, June last year.

I don't know Lichen IDs at all (have taken the first steps to try and learn some!), but this looks like the Hammered Shield Lichen on friend Doug's photostream : ) I photographed this patch during a hike at Erik Butters' Ranch at the end of last September. I like the hammered texture.

Photographed this gorgeous display of different Lichens on 16th July at Bow Valley Provincial Park (right at the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains).

I liked the vartiety of lichens growing on this small branch that is growing in the Hibernaculum in Fish Creek Park. We recorded about 104 Garter Snakes yesterday in roughly two hours; almost all were male Wandering Garter Snakes.

Thanks to Doug (dougwaylett) for the ID for this Lichen: Poplar Sunburst Lichen (Xanthomendoza hasseana). Apparently, this is one of our most common lichens, proving how little I know. Lichens never fail to amaze when - such a wonderful little world of colour and shapes when you look really close : ) I photographed this one growing at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, two days ago.

I'd never seen these regular, very tiny Cladonia growing on soil on a dry, open hillside before (photo is macro, of course. Most people would never notice them). I always thought they were to be found in the forest. Fascinating little things - Shrek Ears, Golf Tees, Pixie Cups ..... LOL. (This sample was being collected to be examined further at home by one of our botany members.) Found on a botanizing trip yesterday to the Western Sky Land Trust's Wheatland #1, formerly Jack Nodwell’s Property, 59 acres of land near Carseland, Alberta.

I just thought this was a nice mix of lichens (no doubt very common ones) growing on this dead wood. Seen at Keith and Sandy Logan's acreage near Bottrel, north west of Cochrane (which is north west of Calgary). We spent a good part of Friday recording the plants, birds, insects, etc. that we saw there.

This is such a brilliant green Lichen and it almost glows : ) This beautiful specimen was found in the forested area of Janel Butler's farm a few days ago, when we botanized their acreage. "Wolf lichens are so named because of their common use as poisons for wolves and foxes in Europe centuries ago. The lichen, with its toxic vulpinic acid, was mixed with ground glass and meat, apparently a deadly combination. The lichen was also used as a source for making a yellow-coloured dye, which is not difficult to imagine." By Daniel Mosquin, on Botany Photo of the Day. www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/05/letharia_vulpin.php Went on a morning's walk at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary this morning. We saw one of the Harlequin Ducks sitting on a log in the middle of the river and the male Hooded Merganser was on the lagoon. I had really hoped the Merganser would be swimming in an area where I could get a close view and shot - out of luck again, LOL. Wasn't sure if my legs would work today, after our very long day of hiking yesterday, but I was glad I managed to get in a walk today.