A very short post this week, mostly because the power was out today, and also because this one is about the little things.
During hikes out and about here in our small corner of Alberta, it is easy to get carried away (and I often am) by the wonderful mountain scenery we are so fortunate to have on our doorstep. But every now and then it doesn’t hurt to dial it down, and focus in a bit on what is under your nose.
Sitting on a log eating lunch, leaning against a tree, I was taken with the texture of the bark and the strong colour of the lichen. With such bright sunlight, the vibrant hues against the grey were quite striking – I had to try and take a picture, see if I could catch something of the beauty.
Not quite bronze, not quite gold, but certainly pretty, maybe a shade of ochre is a reasonable colour match for this wild treasure? I don’t know too much about lichen, but this was a detailed delight!
Scout certainly has an eye for details, in that she misses nothing (about needing to be certain something is edible) and she made a half-hearted attempt to chew on the following fuzzy plant, but gave up after the first six or seven. She might be getting a little bit older and wiser – but more probably it was the endless supply of sticks that she found to be more entertaining. Why chew fluff when there is a branch to crunch? And another, and another…
I liked how the trees seemed drawn to each other, leaning together and hugging in sheer delight at the warmth of the day. Ah, how fanciful, PlaidCamper. Look again! Other details reveal something different. The shadows appear to tell a less lovely story, dark lines running away, trying to get as far apart as possible. No, I like the hugging version best.
Yes, the following tree was all alone (but looking ok about it):
I said this would be brief, and it is probably a good idea to stop now – when you hear talking trees, it’s time for a break.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend, full of entrancing detail! Perhaps the trees will tell you something, they have plenty to say…
OldPlaidCamper 
We have a nice collection of lichen photos ourselves. The colors can be so magnificent!
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These really stood out on a bright day – and I shall be more attentive in the future!
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I lichen this post Adam!
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Thanks, Wayne – glad it was to your lichen…
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As Scout knows, trees talk freely, and the lichen, too. It’s good to get in on the dialogue, like this, as long as we’re too sure about what’s being said! Love the details, PC.
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Thanks, Walt! So I might get the occasional odd look, but some days I’d rather talk to trees than people – get more sense back!
Hope all is well with you, and have a great week ahead.
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A wonderful post full of appreciation for the big and the little beauties, thanks pc. I find orange lichen looks like it’s from another planet, I really lichen it, too, like your other friends. And Scout looks so happy and perky, great photos, great time.
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Thanks, Jet – as your writing and Athena’s photographs show each week, it really is a beautiful world – impossible not to lichen…
Yup, you nailed it about Scout, always happy, always perky – and always ready for an adventure (she’s easily pleased, even the same breakfast every morning is an adventure. Sometimes I put the bowl in a different spot…tail keeps wagging!)
Hope your week is going well!
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