Welcome to Exploring Nature, an illustrated blog series that (re)discovers the
natural world through art, science, and observation.
Illustration by Erica Sloniker,
Marketing and Visual Communications Specialist
Transcript:
Lichen Palettes at Moses Coulee Preserve
Saturday 10-14-23
A beautiful but breezy day at Moses Coulee today. The star of my hike has been the stunning lichen colors on the basalt cliffs. As I walk, I begin to notice the smaller details. Where will I find the next show of lichen? I quickly realized lichen is just about everywhere!
Todayβs lichen colors: Mustard yellow (cliffs, rocks), lime yellow (branches, fence post), sunshine (branches), burnt orange (cliffs, rocks), tangerine (rocks), gold leaf (cliffs, rocks), charcoal (rocks), grey (rocks), and bone (rocks, grasses).
On rock surfaces, I noticed leafy (foliose) lichens with bumps, ridges, and cup-like shapes in their texture. Nestled into a sagebrush branch, I noticed hairy (fruticose) lichen. The texture was shrubby. Many of the lichens (crustose) were scaly, flaky, and crust-like in texture. They were widespread on cliffs with patterns of intermixing color.
As the sun gets lower, the lichen colors are starting to pop with the late afternoon light. I pause for a moment and then leave in wonder.
How long have these lichens grown to fill in these beautiful spaces?
Nestled in the cliffs in Moses Coulee is an import desert water sources that every springs attracts thousands of Pacific Tree frogs. I came to Whisper Lake for a night concert. It was anything but quiet. The chorus of frogs was soothing, calmingβthe quintessential sound of spring.
While the Puget Sound may be known for its rocky beaches, come explore why the beach is sandy at The Nature Conservancy in Washingtonβs Foulweather Bluff Preserve.
Welcome to Exploring Nature, an illustrated blog series that (re)discovers the natural world through art, science, and observation.
This month, Tribal Nations across the United States are celebrating National Native American Heritage Month, honoring their sovereignty, traditions, languages and stories. We acknowledge and elevate this month, and every month, alongside Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities. Indigenous Peoples are the original caretakers of natureβtheir longstanding relationship with the land has culminated in extensive knowledge and practices, which are vital to successful, reciprocal conservation outcomes.
Welcome to Exploring Nature, an illustrated blog series that (re)discovers the natural world through art, science, and observation.
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