A macro view of a miniature world in my backyard looks more like an alien ice age scene than a common terrestrial life form sighting.

I never tire of photographing these miniature lichen landscapes. The macro views are always fascinating and about the only way I can actually see them.

Desktop Backgrounds The top and bottom photos are linked to a 1024 x 768 sized image. The thumbnail to the left is linked to one sized 1680 x 1050 for wider resolutions. Generally I make wallpapers for my own use. I change them like diapers and create the size that fits me. If you like anything you see on this blog and would like a background created to fit your screen resolution – don’t hesitate to ask.

I’ll leave the understanding of Lichen reproduction to others. I’m getting too old for a complex anatomy and physiology lesson on these composite, symbiotic organisms. I know enough say these erections are a Lichen’s fruiting bodies but if you want to know more you’ll have to do your own research.

I should have flagged the location of this Lichen, I’m pretty sure I can find it again but it means covering a hell of a lot of stone wall. This is the first time I’ve seen the ‘jelly caps’ and I’m wondering if they just might be some British Soldier Lichen’s fruiting bodies that haven’t turned dry and bright red yet.

I’m satisfied with a very basic understanding that doesn’t need to go any further than this quote.

‘Lichens are fungi that have discovered agriculture’
…lichenologist Trevor Goward