Friday, November 16, 2012

Stump Life

Quick, before the snow comes, take a look at this stump:



I'm not sure how old it is, maybe somewhere in the 20-year range, but it is almost completely covered in various mosses, lichens, fungi and liverworts. A great many different things are growing on it:


I particularly like the miniature moss-ball. Some mosses, like the blue one at the top, grow by spreading sideways, others by growing from a fixed centre. Yet others, like the one on the bottom, seem to head off for parts unknown like tiny explorers.

Looking even closer, I am amazed at some of the  wonderful patterns that appear:


Too bad I don't have my microscope with me!

2 comments:

  1. Superduper photos. I really like the way some mosses look like miniature trees and the colours in the lichen are so varied and harmonious.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, aren't they beautiful! I wish I knew more about them....

    ReplyDelete