It’s time for Moss Madness and Lichen Lunacy once again.
March is the month when Cabin Fever turns into Spring Fever. The cure is finding something green growing. Lucky for me the first prescriptions are delivered as the snow melts.

I’ve been ‘growing’ lichen on this flat rock for a couple years now. I rescued the stone from the quarry but have yet decided what to make out of it. For now it’s just a stump cover.

You got any good ideas?

I’ve no idea what species of foliose lichen this is but it does create a great leaf pattern.

What we got here are two low life forms that have learned to cooperate. The fungal side of the association provides the structure that supports the algae that does the work of photosynthesis. It’s a cool relationship in more ways than one. Lichens grow when temperatures fall below 50 F. and in the heat of the summer they go dormant.

As you can see – this lichen can’t wait for the ice and snow to melt to get ready for party time. nudge, nudge, wink, wink

I get to photograph the sexual structures these low life forms erect when they party.

That’s some hot stuff. I’ll be finding others as the snow melts from the stone walls. Won’t be long now before the pixie cups and British soldiers are out

…and more.

I had the chance to explore some of the area around the Middle Branch of the Grasse River in the Adirondack Park this weekend. After two day of hiking (wandering around) I came home with plenty of photos, a couple of mysteries explained and a pair of extremely sore legs.

The first thing I spotted was Wintergreen. It seemed to be everywhere. What ‘made my day’ was finally finding some in bloom.

Wintergreen – Gaultheria procumbens

I don’t know if I was early or late but there were only a few flowers to be found.

Another Wintergreen flower

I collected a bunch of leaves and kept sticking them under the noses of the other ‘campers’ (hunting lodge) after crushing them up. Good thing the aroma had a calming effect on them.

AKA: Teaberry
I have a post from last year, Nov. 25th with photos of the berries – Wintergreen. There are a couple of nice photos there if i do say so myself.

And now for something completely different.

Matchstick Lichen – Cladonia cristatella

AKA: British Soldiers
I’ve posted other photos of British Soldiers but this has to be one of the best.

British Soldiers are common enough and I see them often but only as isolated outposts. What made this discovery hard to believe was the fact that I stumbled smack dab into the British Army. I was hard pressed to not step on any as I walked. I estimate they covered well over an acre of barren ground. It was rocky (from sand to basketball sized rock) with nothing you could call soil under a blanket of moss and lichens. In one spot the area was once used as a gravel pit.

Now here’s a new pretty that I promise will show up again.
I found this moth hanging out on some Joe Pye-weed flowers.

Virginia Ctenucha – Ctenucha virginica

Now that I have this moth identified I’m ready to take more photos. I should have no problems getting more pics, these moths seem to be everywhere I go.

Say ‘Good Night’ wiseacre.
Last light over the Middle Branch of the Grasse River. Taken from the upper deck of the Stillwater Club lodge, July 17.

I’ll get to the mysteries another time. One involves a single berry forming from twin flowers and the other is a ghost story of sorts. Each deserves it’s own post and I promise I’ll post them soon.

Expecting to find flowers and butterflies in March this far north is expecting a lot. Winter often lingers well into April and our average day of last frost is May 15. A Spring this early only raises suspicions. I’m expecting to be suckered punched by Old Man Winter as soon as I let my guard down.

But I’m beginning to change my mind. Things that know better than me are out for their spring fling. Maybe just maybe Spring is here to stay. -crosses fingers-

The Crocus and Vinca are a week or so early. A couple brave volunteers came by to cheer me up.

Sometimes I think Mother Nature gets carried away with yellow. The first two flowers of the year have been yellow. First the Winter Aconite, then the Crocus. Thank goodness some Vinca butted in and added a bit of pale blue to the list. Not that I’m complaining, any color is great right now but I can’t help seeing the pattern has already already.

But Butterflies? The Grey Comma Butterfly is a bit early. Last years sighting was on March 25th. I saw one a couple days ago and went on a wild goose chase and never got a shot. A couple more were out today and I got my pic.

Gray Comma Butterfly – Polygonia progne

Both butterfly photos are linked to a larger size (1024 x 768) for a closer look. I wouldn’t use either as a desktop background but you can go ahead and do it. I’m holding out for something better.

I believe this is my first sighting of the Mourning Cloak Butterfly. The only surprise I really had was being able to identify it so easily. Makes me doubt myself when things go so well. I expect to make a full report at a later date. I need to rehash everything to set it in my mind.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly – Nymphalis antiopa

Sometimes what’s not there anymore is a sign of Spring. The porcupines haven’t been around for a couple of days now. They’re out and about and I just hope we don’t catch on on the ground. I think they must have some kind of scent that makes a dog stupid enough to stick it’s nose where it doesn’t belong. Not for a second do I believe Pookie is an exception. It took way too long teaching her those weren’t Easter eggs.

Sometimes Spring revels the remains of a past life like yesterday’s skull. I’ve come across leg bones, piles of turkey feathers, bundles of fur and this claw.

Well, I thought it was a claw when I reached to pick it up.

I also found this scene of an alien landscape in Spring. Yesterday’s wallpaper is history. This background is going to stick around for a while. I think it’s one of my better images and I was tempted to let it solo it’s own post. But anyone who made it this far deserves something better than a burnt plastic fork.