Wolf lichen is one of many common lichens found throughout western montana forests growing on tree trunks and decaying logs and limbs. Adds a pleasing bright green splash to what is so often a mostly dull, drab brown landscape.
Lichens are used birds, insects and mammals for a variety of things including food, shelter and building material.
We (some of us) use lichens for food, drink, dyes, clothing and decorations. Indians sometimes warded off starvation dining on lichens; pets have been fed lichens for similar reasons.
Some lichens, such as wolf lichen, are poisionous. Wolf lichen got its name from Europeans who mixed it with glass to poison (kill) wolves.
Wolf lichen didn't kill this elk but another lichen Byoria sp. did kill several elk recently in Wyoming. Curious since antelope routinely eat the same lichens with no ill-effects whatsoever.
Ringbilled gull soaring above Clark Canyon yesterday made for an interesting shot to play around with in Lightroom. And yes, no doubt ringbilled gulls would
not know a wolf lichen from a wolf...
The unsettled weather of late has not done much for my fishing but it sure does make for some interesting photo ops...Enjoy.
