A plan that worked

[jdal]

A few years back I decided to do a course in Lichens so that I'd have a chance of spotting a rare one so I didn't extinct a species when cleaning some rock for a climb (lichen aren't really species BTW). It never happened, of course, until...

While I was on Raven Crag in Langdale with the climbing club last weekend, I was showing some lichen to a club member and one stood out as being very unusual. We gave it a detailed examination and I admitted I had no idea what it was. Back home. looking through my Dobson, the Lichen bible, I still couldn't find it. I'd got it down to an Umbilicaria, bit no further. So I posted an image on Wild About Britain for an ID. It turns out it was very rare, and only found in Britain on Raven Crag.

<drum roll>I give you Umbilicaria crustulosa



Rubbish OOF shot, I know, but it was just for ID and I was half way up a crag and it was cold.

Thread on Wild About Britain here

[RJM]

Re: A plan that worked

I have a thing for photographing lichen. I just love the colour and texture it puts on trees and rocks.

I can't say I've ever seen one like that, above. It looks like Lichen with measles!

[jdal]

Re: A plan that worked

The measles spots are Apothecia, which contain sacs (Asci) which contain the spores of the fungus, so this one's "in flower" as it were. It probably always is.

[RJM]

Re: A plan that worked

So wash your hands after touching!

[Imageryone]

Re: A plan that worked

Well done indeed, first for spotting and togging and then for following up. A super result all round.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: A plan that worked

John, this is a GRAND capture your brave, up there in all this poor weather Thanks for sharing, I had no idea