One of my first posts on lichens was about Usnea, Beard lichens. I am gradually getting better at seeing the difference between the different species and saw two examples on the Wildcat Trail at Allt Laraidh (Aultlarie), at the North end of the Newtonmore.
Last week you could walk up to the falls, which were full of water from the recent rain and snowmelt:
This is a lovely walk but at the moment (late February 2021) the path has washed away so only the lower part is accessible.
Lower down the Allt Laraidh, was a fallen tree.
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| A fallen willow |
This is a lichen hunter's dream as all the lichens that grow high up are now within easy reach. And there were plenty of lichens to look at.
My favourite was this one - with the flying saucers:
The fruiting bodies are circles with "eyelashes" growing out of them, and I have never seen them before.
Usnea subfloridana with circular fruits
The other lichen that was new to me was long and dangly:
The long strands look a bit like fish bones:
I think this one is Usnea dasopoga.
If you are not interested in naming lichens, there is still plenty to admire - like this next box, also at Allt Laraidh, which is growing its own camouflage!
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