A lichen is a composite of a fungus, which provides structure, and a photosynthesizing algae or cyanobacterium (or both), which provides nutrients. Like other fungi they assume a wide range of fanciful forms making them very photogenic, especially at the macro level. There are over 600 species in the northwest and they are notoriously hard to classify so I would appreciate any help in refining or correcting my labels.

Lichens, Spencer Spit

Dotted lichen (Bacidia rubella), Shark Reef

Wooden soldiers (Cladonia botrytes), Richardson

Common powder horn (Cladonia conioncraea), Spencer Spit

Common Powderhorn (Cladonia conioncraea), Upright Channel Preserve

Pebbled pixie-cup (Cladonia pyxidata), Kjargaard Road

Pebbled Pixie Cup (Cladonia pyxidata), Richardson Marsh Preserve

Trumpet Lichen (Cladonia fimbriata), Lopez Hill

Lipstick Powderhorn (Cladonia macilenta), Lopez Hill

Maritime Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia portentosa), Chadwick Hill

Gray Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina), Point Colville

Gray Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina), Richardson

Dragon Horn (Cladonia squamosa), Lopez Hill

Dragon Horn (Cladonia squamosa), Kjargaard Road

Volcano Lichen? (Coccotrema maritimum), Point Colville

Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri), Kjargaard Road

Textured Lung Lichen (Lobarina scrobiculata), Shark Reef

Lichens on Maple Tree (Ochrolechia laevigata), Kjargaard Road

Ruffle lichen (Parmelia sulfate), Kjargaard Road

Pebbled pixie-cup (Cladonia pyxidata), Kjargaard Road

Lipstick Powderhorn, (Cladonia macilenta)

Budding Tube Lichen (Hypogymnia enteromorpha), Point Colville

Budding Tube Lichen (Hypogymnia enteromorpha) (detail), Point Colville

Dust Lichen, (Lecanora), Hummel Lake Preserve

Rock-shield

Hooded Tune Lichen (Hypogymnia physodes), Point Colville

Common Greenshield Lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata), Point Colville

Tree Lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria), Point Colville

Lichen Agaric (Lichenomphalia umbellifera), Lopez Hill

Salted Shield Lichen (Parmelia saxatilis), Shark Reef

Dog-lichen (Peltigera canina)

Membranous Pelt lichen (Peltigera membranacea), Richardson

Membranous Pelt Lichen (Peltigera membranacea), Point Colville

Membraneous Pelt Lichen (Peltigera membranacea), Lopez Hill

Common Freckle pelt, (Peltigera aphthosa), Richardson

Herre's Ragged Lichen (Platismatia herrei), Point Colville

Cartilage Lichen (Ramalina farinacea), Kjargaard Road

Globe Ball Lichen (Sphaerophorus globosus), Richardson

Fishbone Beard Lichen (Usnea filipendula), Kjargaard Road

Beard Lichen (Usnea scabrata), Richardson Marsh

Black Tar lichen (Verrucaria maura) Watmough

Cumberland rock shield (Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia), Kjargaard Road

Cumberland rock shield (Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia), Kjargaard Road

Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria), Richardson Road

Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria), Richardson

Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria candelaria), Shark Reef

Shrubby Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria candelaria), Fisherman Bay Spit
