Lots of Lichens!

Nothing says the 'North Woods' like all the grey-green lichens draped over the lower branches of the Spruce trees.  I'm not sure I can identify many, but they somehow really appeal to me.

The Old Man's Beard tends to grow on the lower branches of the Spruce, under the canopy of the bigger trees.  It's much more common in the Maritimes than here, but I know I'll always see it at Sand Lake.

It's intriguing how the slender tendrils hang down nearly a foot from the branches.

Other lichens grow directly on the lower branches, both a scale like form, and twisted little antlers.

The rainfall the previous day certainly helped these lichens look alive rather than all dried out.

Down among the trees above the shoreline, the ground under other big old Spruce was carpeted with Reindeer Lichen, soft and flexible to walk over after the rain.  (I feel so guilty crunching it under foot when it's dry).

On top of an  old stump a carpet of very tiny British Soldiers rested, with their red caps.

All of these half an inch tall or less!  Tomorrow, some mushrooms.