Mysteriously formed holes and moss growing on a rock. I don’t have any idea how the holes were formed but they did give me some other ideas. First thing I thought of was to bring the rock home with me. Trouble is it’s nearly a mile away and still frozen in place. I’ll have to hike back with a pry bar and sled. It’s not the only mossy rock on my list either. I better get busy before the snow melts and get my treasures home before it’s too late.

Another idea that popped into my head was to start selling these miniature rock-moss gardens. But on second thought it’s not so practical since the postage would be a real deal breaker. It’s too bad, there are countless perfect little rock and moss gardens out there and I’m pretty sure there are just as many people that would appreciate having one of their own.

One of the holes made a perfect sunken moss garden

click image for a larger size (1024 x 768) for a closer look or to use as desktop wallpaper

Maybe it’s just me but when I look at this photograph I’m reminded of goose heads. These spore capsules haven’t lost their operculum (basically a lid that covers the top of the pod) and might make you take another gander at them.

I came across two creatures that looked like they had a tough winter this year. Both their coats looked the worst for wear.

Winter can be tough on a Porcupine. This one survived by eating bark from it’s Maple tree abode. It looks a little ratty sunning high up in a crotch of the tree but at least it made it through the tough winter.

Poor Skunk Hard hit by the sudden automotive depression it never had a chance to raise a stink and left this world scentless.

Off center questions:

Would Moss Hole and Spore Head make good cuss names in polite company?

What could be more uncomfortable than a porcupine in your crotch?

Today begins March Moss Madness. Better get used to it. After months of winter anything green and growing is going to catch and keep my attention until something better comes along. So here are today’s moss photographs.

This moss is a lot like me in a way. I can’t wait to get out from under the snow either.

The stone wall is only beginning to emerge from under the snow. It appears the moss goes into it’s reproductive mode as soon as the snow melts from it. Here some spore capsules that caught some water droplets.

I couldn’t resist turning this photograph into my new desktop background. I think it’s one of the cooler photos I’ve taken.

click image for a closer look or to use as desktop wallpaper – 1024 x 768
If you want a different size you’ll have to ask.

After countless tries I did manage to get a focus on this droplet. The photo isn’t anything special but after so many tries I just had to post the water droplet.

How do I make my dog obey the STAY command?
By placing her head between two boulders.

POOR POOKIE

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