Custom Search

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Celadon in Nature

I took the photo above because the mushroom blooming here among the lichen is the smallest I've ever seen. This photo was taken using a 50mm lens and an extension tube, which gives considerable magnification. The cap of this mushroom is about the size of the head of a pin. Below are some old friends amongst the lichen family. They are probably Pixie Cup or False Pixie Cup (Cladonia chlorophaea). Click here to visit a good page on some common lichens and mosses. One of many reasons I love lichens is their wonderful and unusual colors. Looking at today's (and yesterday's) photos reminded me suddenly of that subtle, pale green celadon glaze found on ancient chinese porcelain. Now I know why that color looks so natural and true.

4 comments:

Dean Lewis said...

Truly fascinating. an entire other micro-universe.

JoJo said...

My question is, how in the world did you spot such a teeny tiny mushroom?!!!!

Michael said...

Amazing shapes and colors in both images.

Unknown said...

Wonderful detail..Love lichens, they are fascinating!