Thursday, April 16, 2020

Help ID what's growing on this tree branch, please!

On  a downed tree, species uncertain, along the roadside ditch, a dead branch is covered with lichen or fungus or something I've not been able to identify. One lichen that looks a little like it is reported to grow on rock substrate, not wood. If any readers can identify the tannish growth with a white underside in the photos below, or even suggest a good resource, please note as a comment. Thanks.

what is this tan/white growth?
what is this tan/white growth?
Photo by J. Harrington

what is this tan/white growth?
what is this tan/white growth?
Photo by J. Harrington

Whatever it is was growing just up the road from the daylily patch that's recovering from being "trimmed" by a road crew last year. That bunch is taller (more sun) that the just emerged lilies growing near the base of a pine [see below]. They were promptly greeted with an unfriendly dumping of snow. Today the April snow cover is slowly melting. Tomorrow promises to get close to 50℉. Today's wind still has a cold bite to it. Spring in the North Country is an interesting but untrustworthy season. The daylillies usually are in bloom by mid-June but, unlike much of the country, Spring around here seems to be coming slower and later than usual this year. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be wondering about lichens or whatever, I'd be out looking for the first wildflowers. As it is today, I'm looking forward to looking for wildflowers.

do these daylillies think it's Spring?
do these daylillies think it's Spring?
Photo by J. Harrington

Spring


 - 1892-1950


To what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
The spikes of crocus.
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only under ground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,
April
Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.


********************************************
Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.

No comments:

Post a Comment