Ramalina Ding Dong!

As part of our Environmental Biology module we take part in a few basic Field trips around the coast to gain skills in fieldwork and witness organisms in their wild habitat. Today's trip was to Hawkcraig Point in Aberdour, Fife.

The actual work was very straight forward and could have been done in about 20 minutes, but due to strong winds and lack of communication it took a while longer.

I took this opportunity to take some quick snaps, and definitely wished I had a nice SLR for a panoramic shot of sunkissed Edinburgh across the Forth. Ach well.

Towards the top of the beach the rocks were covered in thick lichen, so some macro shots were the order of the day. I showed them to a Geology lecturer who was helping out, and he expressed his appreciation of the zoom and quality of this little compact.

He was also very interested in the lichens in the photo's and gave me a crash course in their growth and survival. The one I have blipped is pat of the Ramalina genus. To remember the name of a lichen, he told me, the best way is to put the name into a song.

Ramalina Ding Dong. Very good, Professor.

These lichens have been sprouting up all over the Firth of Forth due to the milder winters which don't kill them off. I think we can safely say they will be fine after the winter we have just had!

Lichens are known as a pioneer species, as they are often the first settlers in a new environment. Bacterial breakdowns and decomposition over time form thin organic matter known as regolith, which in time forms soil. And low and behold, a few feet from where this picture was taken, thin grassy patches have appeared on this thin soil, then thicker soil, small bushes and all the way up to trees (climax community).

I love learning about Ecology. It's all there right in front of you and I feel it tests the best of my knowledge in all subjects.

Tonight, I took advantage of Orange Wednesdays and took Roxanne out to Pizza express. 2 course meal for £10.50! We saved £16.75.

Then we headed to the Omni to see 'The Woman in Black.' It was ok, a bit jumpy but that's about it.

A few Gin and Tonics later it was time to call it a night.

Great day today, leaned loads and saved tons of money!