Pink Earth Lichen

[beetleman]

Dibaeis baeomyces. Found a great big patch of this lichen encrusting the ground behind work. very sandy-rocky soil. Had been raining for a few days before I took this picture. A few dry days later, they were all shriveled away. The Apothecia (fruiting bodies) are 1-4mm. http://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Dbaeomyces.html

1/125s
F/8
Iso 100

[crotermund]

Very interesting, Doug. If I would have seen this I would have thought I was looking at some sort of fungus.

[rjlittlefield]

Very nicely done! An interesting subject, great photos, and a link to more info.

Who could ask for more? [*]

--Rik

(*Well... Camera type would be nice, since f-number and ISO rating have much different effects on different cameras. )

[Bruce Williams]

Great posting Doug. Most interesting and well executed series of images of a very bizarre looking life form. The term "pioneer lichen" is pretty self defining but I thought I'd check it out anyway. Here's a top liner courtesy of Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_organism

Bruce

[beetleman]

I think they should use my picture in the "Big Lichen Book"