yellowstone
a nature paradise

Mammals, birds
and flowers

click on a photo to start Lightbox, that lets you see the series of photos one after the other in a bigger size, plus legend.
 

Lichens

Lichens are composed of two quite different organisms that work together. It is a symbiosis between algae (and/or cyanobacteria) that provide the sugars thanks to the photosynthesis they perform (transformation of carbohydrate+water into sugar+oxygen thanks to sunlight and the presence of chlorophyl in the algae) and a fungus that provides structure to the organism.
lichen rocks near Old Faithful
Lichens are often long-lived, the size of a specimen being an indication of its age. They are good indicators for the quality of the air, and some thrive in very specific and uncommon environments. They take different forms: 'crustose' crusts on stones (like on old buildings in cities), fruticose branch-like structures, and follose moss-like organisms (like Reindeermoss).

Different types of lichens attracted our attention throughout Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, so we decided to collect some photos of these special living organisms.

bearded lichen on a tree (Beaver Ponds Trail) a warm brown colour for this lichen on rocks detail on rock several species of flat lichens on a rock surface lichens on the Yellowstone river trees full of lichens near Jenny lake a stone full of lichens in the Cottonwood Creek

go back up