With 20,250+ acres on the LBJNG, of course I have not covered every inch. So on this outing, this was a new area for exploration.
As we stepped through the fence, a puddle.
Certainly is interesting how some trees are just covered with lichens. Furthermore, I have not figured out why some trees are covered and others adjacent have little to none. Additionally, I have not read that any of the lichenologists know either. Here the Goldeye Lichens (Teloschistes) were the showy orange ones.
The sun had come out and this foliose lichen was a beauty! Notice that there was green algae on the outer thallus (skin). For some lichen species, this is a characteristic like for Parmotrema praesordeiosum.
After we initially crossed into the unit, I was surprised how open the understory was. Especially since this unit had probably never been burnt.
What Leucodon julaceus moss on the ground? That is not the usual substrate for this species.
A closer look revealed its was actually on a fallen rotten branch. Trees are the Leucodon usual substrate.
The partial skeleton of a branch remained on right on this old snag.
Upside down earthstar (fungus)!
Flipped, you can see the puff part had long ago had dispersed it spores.
As we were walking near the fence line, we came across many pieces of wire. Definitely had to watch our step!
Looks like a gorgeous area to explore! I always feel sad when mosses lose their original home—hopefully they can send spores off and find a new place to colonize.
I love finding earth stars.
They are pretty neato 😊
That wire is dangerous to many critters. To bad they dont get rid of it.
Great unit!
Sure was!
Looks like a gorgeous area to explore! I always feel sad when mosses lose their original home—hopefully they can send spores off and find a new place to colonize.
I am with you and fingers crossed that it finds a new home!