Lichen Heart

Our warm wet spring yielded a bumper crop of mosses and lichen this year.
Our hot dry summer is loosening them from the trees ... there are bits and pieces of lichen all over the woods.

These 2 different lichen - have grown and fallen together to form a heart!

And Yet Another Lichen Heart ...

I'm not sure what kind of lichen it is ...
Or maybe it's a weird alien fungus ...

But I keep finding patterns ...

And hearts!

Another Lichen Heart ...

A tiny branch,
Blown down with the wind
Onto the forest floor.

Brings me a hint
At the hearts up above
That I have missed before!!!

Liken' This Lichen ...

Our cool wet winters here in the Pacific Northwest bring an amazing array of colorful lichens, mushrooms and all things fungal.

These bright yellow hearts brighten our lives and remind us that not all is dreary and dark this time of year.

Likin' the Lichen

When it's dry outside these lichen are barely visible. They dry up into little black blobs that crackle if you step on them.

When they swell up in the rain, their glory is evident. If you step on them, you may end up on the ground wondering what you slipped on.

And you may have slipped on this beautiful, graceful, weird looking lichen heart.

Maybe it softened your landing. I certainly hope so!

Another Lichen Heart

I found this heart on an old wind-fallen fir branch just inside the woods. I think it's perfect!

Red Lichen

My sister pointed out this heart to me while we were tramping in the woods behind the house ... revisiting our childhood haunts. She actually saw the red of the lichen from clear across the "crick", and we climbed back across "Huckleberry Bridge" to take pictures. Thank you Beth!