Moss and some lichens seem to thrive during winter conditions. These were beside Munson Creek the other day when a little sun peeked through the clouds.
January 30, 2018
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Montana Outdoors 
Are those ones in the second photo lichens or liverworts? They looked liverwort-ish in the picture. I would guess that these guys like the winter conditions if they’re not too severe because are getting more light in winter, and are otherwise under the shade of other plants, but it’s hard to know unless you’re there in person, which alas, I am not. Of course all of your conifers would give shade in winter too, but maybe there are other plants that shade them in the warm months on the streambank. Lovely photo, nice to see these little details.
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Comment by jpostol — January 30, 2018 @ 9:01 pm
My education on lilverworts and lichens is far from complete. My guess is that it is a freckle pelt lichen (Peltigera aphthosa) based on a photo I saw on this website.
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Comment by montucky — January 30, 2018 @ 9:30 pm
Well, I’ve never seen a freckle pelt lichen in person, but that photo in the link does look like your guy, and it is about the cutest little lichen ever. Who would’ve thought a lichen could be so dainty? I am far from a liverwort expert myself (or lichens either, for that matter), and it’s hard to tell from a photo. Lichens and liverworts look a bit alike but are very distantly related, not the same kind of critters at all. So, I stand corrected!
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Comment by jpostol — January 30, 2018 @ 9:35 pm
Now you’ve gotten me started on looking closer for liverworts. (An old dog will start learning a new trick!)
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Comment by montucky — January 30, 2018 @ 10:58 pm
I love seeing the small details in nature and lichens are so interesting in their various shapes and colours. I notice there’s still a little bit of snow on the top of the first image.
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Comment by Vicki — January 30, 2018 @ 9:37 pm
There is about 6 inches of snow on the banks above the photo. Enough to discourage much hiking yet on that trail. The ichens and moss seem to do very well in that cold environment. I think the small spots on the lichen are its version of fruit.
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Comment by montucky — January 30, 2018 @ 11:01 pm
Colour and design – wonderful!
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — January 30, 2018 @ 10:08 pm
Yes. The lichen and the moss looks like a plant arrangement.
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Comment by montucky — January 30, 2018 @ 10:59 pm
What beautiful lighting and colours!
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Comment by Jo Woolf — January 31, 2018 @ 6:33 am
Light makes such a difference doesn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — January 31, 2018 @ 3:52 pm
Your close up photos are so great, stunning! Thank you and greetings.
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Comment by Cecilia — January 31, 2018 @ 10:05 am
Thank you Cecilia!
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Comment by montucky — January 31, 2018 @ 3:52 pm
Another of those almost mystical worlds that will reveal itself in all its glory only to those prepared to stoop down!
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Comment by de Wets Wild — January 31, 2018 @ 1:07 pm
Yes. It seems that since I started photography I have spent a lot of my time on my knees or fully prone and in most stages of wetness. It’s worth it to me though.
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Comment by montucky — January 31, 2018 @ 3:55 pm
That’s beautiful and makes me dream of spring. That’s a nice lichen! It might be one of the Peltigera clan, but I’m not sure. That’s a big family that includes dog lichens.
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — January 31, 2018 @ 5:02 pm
There are far more lichens here than I can recognize and identify. I suppose one reason is that they like rocks and after all, this is in the Rocky Mountains. Some them are beautiful!
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Comment by montucky — January 31, 2018 @ 10:10 pm
The combination of soft water and wonderful, sharp detail in that first photo is just great. All of the red and green in both photos makes me think of Christmas. They’re not traditional holiday subjects, but there’s no reason they couldn’t be. Between the sound of the water and the damp, earthy smells, I suspect that’s an especially lovely spot.
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Comment by shoreacres — January 31, 2018 @ 7:04 pm
That day I just photographed scenes when the light turned right. That little stream is lovely along all of it’s 5 miles from the high ground at the top of Kookoosint Ridge until it enters the Clark Fork River.
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Comment by montucky — January 31, 2018 @ 10:18 pm
Beautiful! I want to visit Montana again.
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Comment by Mentalintrigue — February 1, 2018 @ 1:11 pm
Wild Montana is a beautiful place!
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Comment by montucky — February 1, 2018 @ 8:30 pm
I wouldn’t expect to see a little stream flowing like that in Montana at the end of January. I’d expect to see ice.
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Comment by Steve Schwartzman — February 1, 2018 @ 6:28 pm
That stream has spent a lot of this winter flowing under ice. It will again before spring. The water is still ice cold. (I know because with a little help from an icy rock I got into it up to my knees the other day.)
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Comment by montucky — February 1, 2018 @ 8:32 pm
Sorry to hear about how the icy rock “helped” you. I put on a pair of thigh-high rubber boots when I anticipate water. Of course it’s hard to hike more than a short distance with boots like that.
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Comment by Steve Schwartzman — February 2, 2018 @ 10:50 am
They sure do thrive .. that green is so vibrant 🙂
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Comment by Julie@frogpondfarm — February 5, 2018 @ 12:08 am
These seem to like winter much more than summer.
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Comment by montucky — February 5, 2018 @ 7:53 pm
Love how lush it looks and I like the way you got the flowing stream.
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Comment by Candace — February 5, 2018 @ 3:32 pm
The mosses are beautiful right now and the stream is crystal clear and ice cold: perfect!
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Comment by montucky — February 5, 2018 @ 8:36 pm
Awesome photos – stunning colors. Thank You again opening our eyes to observe Mother Nature.
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Comment by Sartenada — February 13, 2018 @ 1:39 am
I’m in awe at the hardiness of the small life forms like moss and lichen that seem to thrive in mid-winter.
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Comment by montucky — February 13, 2018 @ 9:28 am