I almost always neglect to say where I find the subjects in my photos. Today I’ll show ya where I found some nice lichen to photograph.

Living in a rural area means the wild things are right in my ‘backyard’. Of course my backyard includes a neighbor’s farm consisting of wet woods, crop fields and swamps bordered by the Grasse River. Finding something interesting is no harder than wandering around in the hundreds of acres behind my house. When that’s not enough there are thousands of acres of ‘wild’ land within a short drive. Being a ‘stone’s throw’ north of the Adirondacks does have some advantages.

Dog and I checked out a rock pile in one of the crop fields out back. Old rock piles in a sunny location are a great place to seek lichens. Advantage mine – air quality is excellent (lichens need clean air) and piles of rock are left undisturbed for generations.

Look beyond the ‘new’ pile of rocks to see a ‘mature’ tree covered rock pile. Rock islands like this are a common sight in north country fields.

As expected, there were numerous colonies of lichens growing on the rocks and the conditions just right for erecting reproductive structures.

Pixie Cup Lichen – Cladonia sp.

I’m not going to argue over the common name but these things look more like wind instruments belonging to a pixie land brass band.

I ain’t whistling pixie, that red bug is a Red Bug. If you need to know more you can Google, chigger. While you do that, I’ll go walk naked through one of those car washes with the big spinning brushes, get a full body-wax and then just to make sure there’s nothing up my sleeve, burn my clothes. I already know more than I want to.

Actually I’m not worried, I see a lot of chiggers but have never had one dine on me, thank goodness.

I’m back. For me, March brings madness. Not basketball, mind you, it’s more the Mad Hatter type. It’s been a long (but unusually warm) winter and I’m a bit late starting my treatment. Nothing like fresh air, some moss and discovering a couple of other oddities while wandering about to make me feel better.

March Moss

A moss covered rock doing a hillside imitation. I should bring it home. It’s big enough to make a very nice miniature moss garden yet not so large I couldn’t budge it.

Shrink enough to step into the photo and enter an alien world.

Water droplets cling to what looks like the heads and necks of some strange bird.

immature spore pods of an unidentified moss

Fire moss spore pods on another rock.

Leafy lichen looks like lettuce. Not really, alliteration got a hold on me. This lichen looks more like some kind of terrestrial seaweed. Is it a landscape or salad?

Like most Klingon delicacies this one is best eaten alive.

It’s not really odd but finding growing mushrooms during March isn’t an everyday experience in the north country. Normal day temps should be in the 30s with nights going into the teens. But even in February, Velvet Foot Mushrooms will grow if there’s a brief warm spell.

Velvet foot mushrooms are often found on dead Elm trees when the bark begins to separate from the wood. Those that grow in the crevice are tiny while those that break free can grow much lager. I’ve found them nearly 3 inches across. Those in the photo are about a half inch across. It is hard to make out but they are growing in a notch started and abandoned by a woodpecker.

If you want a photo that makes it clear that a woodpecker was at work, this one should do. The hole is about 2 feet long.

When finished I hope it looks like this.

Let the bold text trick you into thinking literally.

Cat chainsaw carving

Now see the reality.

Of all the chainsaw carvings I’ve ever seen, this one is my favorite. Lucky me, it’s just down the road and I get to see it often as I drive by.

A first? A post by me with no photos. What gives? I’ll tell ya – Novica

A recent visit to Marguerite’s blog at Canoe Corner turned out to be more than a pleasant visit. I ended up ‘walking away’ with a $50 gift certificate for commenting on her post about Novica, a web site featuring artists and crafts people and their creations from third world countries. The site is associated with National Geographic so that should give you an idea of the quality you’ll find there.

When I first arrived on Marguerite’s Novica post I almost bailed out. Not another blogger pushing some affiliate marketing pitch I thought at first. But no, it wasn’t a affiliate ad link disguised as a text link. I’m happy I didn’t give in to my cynical first impression. It’s not the ‘prize’ I won but the discovery of a wonderful resource for both those looking for gift ideas and those that create them.

I am a bit sad about my name being pulled out of the hat. Maybe others had the same first impression and didn’t follow the link. Whatever the reason it’s a shame the odds were staked in favor of the few who did check out the site and left a comment. Good for me, not so good for a worthy cause.

Marguerite’s Post:
Novica – Supporting Artists Worldwide
Excerpt: By recognizing the value of artistic goods in the third world we can help artists there to live a better life and contribute to the betterment of their communities.

There’s a lot more going on at Novica. That’s globalization I can support. I’ll leave it to you to check out the programs they offer.

Affiliate Program
They have an affiliate program that’s rewarding to both ‘Affiliates’ (sometimes it’s not a four letter word) and Artists. After posting this I’m going to check it out. Want to follow me there? Here’s the link to become an affiliate.
Sorry Google but your ads are looking like history on my blog.

Party Time
Not interested in being an Affiliate, then maybe you’d be interested in hosting a Home Party featuring some select Novica items. Interested? Here’s a link. Novica Home Parties. I’m not that sort of party person. Guess it’s a male thing on my part but I’d like to see one of my daughters give one of these.

There’s also a consultant option in the party section. I haven’t looked at that yet since I’m not the type to be successful at it. But it may be your thing

Artisan Loans
Novica administers micro-finance loans with zero interest to the artisans. The link: Artisan Loans
I won’t go on about the loans but will say I made one before setting up the link ..and before you possibly gush over a perceived generosity on my part let me say it definitely was a micro-loan. I hope you will consider one too.

What can I say?
It all looks too good to be true. Everyone comes out ahead as far as I can see. This is how globalization should work. By helping to raise the living standards of those in the 3rd world I also indirectly help to float my own boat.

…and did I mention the Novica products make gifts that will drop the jaw of even an old cynical curmudgeon like myself.

A last note to Marguerite:
Do you realize just how much time you are responsible for me spending on Novica. One thing leads to another and another and another. How the heck can I choose when there’s so much to drool over. I skipped the backgammon set for now and selected a Tea Set I think my oldest grand daughter is going to love. There were only 3 left so I bought that before they were gone. I may have to go back and buy another right away – the set only has two cups and there’s 3 to tea party. What do you think? Avoid conflict or get sweet revenge on my daughter

The Tea Set by Tat Yan Soo. His style is very pleasing to my tastes. I liked the Peaceful Lily set but grand daughter likes frogs.

Ah, I can’t NOT post an image.
Please stare into the Hypno-Frog’s eyes until ready to buy. Frog themes are acceptable.