Forest Treasure

Yesterday was so gusty and wild it had brought down a number of branches and twigs.  I rescued these beautiful lichens on our walk yesterday, ready to be photographed today.  I think lichens are the most wonderful creations (in fact I love many of the flowerless plants of the world)-they are made up of a fungus living in a close association with an alga.  The fungus forms the outer layer, while the inner layer is made of algal cells, entangled with fungal threads-a symbiotic relationship.