On the last leg of the Dec. 19th outing, we came across two birds. Both were fast and far away. Thus no photos attempted. First one was the American Woodcock! Its whistling wings are characteristic. Second bird was a Brown Creeper. A small bird that only goes up the tree hunting for insects. Indeed cool birds! Sometimes memories are all you get. 🙂
However, here are a few more photos from the woods.
Two fruticose lichens! Both are in the Ramalina genus. The top one was the Palmetto Lichen (Ramalina celastri). The bottom one was Sinewed Ramalina (Ramalina americana). Its fruiting bodies (white disks) are at the tips.
Both the Ramalina above are attached at a single point as this one clearly shows. The Palmetto Lichen (Ramalina celastri) apothecia (fruiting bodies – white disks) are scattered along the thallus branches.
So in the last two outings, I have run across the Perforated Ruffle Lichen (Parmotrema perforatum). That suggests that I just needed to get it on my radar. And now it is!
Another less common lichen of the woods, a species of Usnea! I brought this one home, but could not get any closer than the genus. It is a fruticose (shrubby) lichen. A small one coming in at only a couple of centimeters high. This only the second one I found on the grasslands.
The above lichen was found on this hanging fallen dead branch. Some lichens prefer trees as a habitat. The two Usneas that I have found both were near ravines/banks and water. Some lichens are very particular about the amount of sun and substrate.
Another great find was the Southern Shield Fern (Thelypteris kunthii). The patch was hanging over a small grotto type hole with water. The ravine led to the creek.
Now, a closer view!
Finally a view of the creek. So we were not able to walk very far in the creek. The edges were too steep. However, we managed to find one spot and this was it. The last leg of the Dec. 19th outing will be tomorrow’s photos.
Judy, Actually the Southern Shield ferns are a lot larger than the more common ferns we have here. They are bushier and taller. The photo failed to show that.
Not sure ive ever seen that fruticose lichen before. Sure is a beautiful little fern. Looks so happy there.
Judy, Actually the Southern Shield ferns are a lot larger than the more common ferns we have here. They are bushier and taller. The photo failed to show that.
Wow, what great birds! Birdie memories are just as lovely. That looks like like a very interesting ravine for sure.
Suzanne, we have not met a ravine that wasn’t interesting…LOL
Yay Usnea! Love the Ramalina and ravine.
🙂