You must not know too much, or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and water-craft; a certain free margin, and even vagueness – perhaps ignorance, credulity – helps your enjoyment of these things…
~Walt Whitman
Sometimes, it’s good to know less than more. Acquiring more knowledge of a subject often removes a soft veil of mystery that leaves only the bare facts visible. The magic disappears.
The numerous types of lichens, mosses and fungi make the woods seem more magical for many of us. Is this because we typically know less about them than other living things in the forest? If I encounter new, unknown varieties on a walk in the woods, why does this make the excursion more enchanting? Perhaps, sometimes, it’s best to not know the names of things so that mystery and wonder can survive.
Though correct identification is helpful if they’re going to be eaten, nature’s myriad types of fungi need not be named in order to be enjoyed for the beauty of their subtle colours and forms. Their ability to uplift our spirits are nonetheless. And it may just be easier to imagine them eaten by elves or sat upon by delicate faeries if their exact variety is unknown to us.
I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.
~ Harry Emerson Fosdick
Flandrum Hill 
You have a fine collection of lichen there, ma’am. I once hiked with someone whose life’s work is the study of lichens and mosses. It was, of course, instructive. However, I will remember these images longer.
Gerry, my visual memory has always been stronger too. Glad you liched the lichens 🙂
I like the quotes you picked to go with this post. And I agree, I like a little magic and mystery in my life.
Thanks Grace. It seems that the deeper we get into the age of information, the more important it becomes to keep that magic and mystery alive in our lives. It probably all comes down to keeping a happy balance.
Mystery is a must. It is a required veil so the moon continues to rise in our soul. Umm, I think… Love the lichens!
Kathy, you’ll have to remember that line so that you can share it with the King of the Faeries on Midsummer’s Eve 😉
As a science major, I can readily identify with wanting to keep some things a mystery. I keep getting all this information thrown at me at school, and it gets hard to sit back and remember why I’m doing this.
But then I have some professors who never fail to remind us that what we’re looking at is awesome. 🙂
–Julie
Julie, I can just imagine how much information you have to swallow in your studies. As long as you also find the time to get out of the lab and classroom and into nature on a regular basis, you’re sure to retain your sense of awe.
What extraordinary images of lichens! I find lichens most intriguing – in the Namib desert, there are large fields of lichens growing on rocky ground so dry that almost nothing else can grow there.
My uncle, who used to take tours into the desert, explained to me that the tracks left by inconsiderate 4×4 drivers when they raced all over and round and round these lichen fields, would remain there for centuries to come. I think that is criminal.
He always stopped near some lichen growing on the rocks, and then he would splash it with water. It took only a couple of seconds for the otherwise grey and drab-looking rock to be transformed into a painting with pastel colours. I loved that!
It always reminded me that the desert was not boring, featureless and lifeless after all, but filled with amazingly resilient forms of life that we would only see if we bothered to stop and look more closely. I wish I had photos to show you.
Amy, in case you are interested, I have just found a website with a nice little video about the lichen fields of Namibia – have a look here.
Reggie, for some reason I never thought of lichens growing in a desert before. The images of the lichen fields of Namibia are exquisite. The transformation brought about by about your uncle sprinkling water on them is SO cool.
The 4×4 drivers rip through the bogs here too, destroying everything in their path, lichens and mosses included 😦
Add me to the Lichen Lovers List! And thanx, Reggie, for the desert lichen info…very cool!
It is, isn’t it? I think they are absolutely extraordinary life forms. They can survive with sooo little water, just by absorbing moisture from the mist coming in from the sea.
..like the music of a foreign land, a little mystery is necessary ingredient of lasting fascination.
Cindy, I knew you’d enjoy the lichens 🙂
Swaps, mystery and fascination do seem to go together don’t they?
And danger too 🙂
Swaps, I’m not too worried about lichens sneaking up on me in the woods, but I do often wonder about the bobcats and coyotes 😉
New to your blog — find it exceptionally informative. Will be back. — barbara
Hi Barbara, thanks for stopping by:) Glad you found it helpful.