Sycamore Seed Pod

A sycamore tree across the street dropped a large number of these. They are tightly packed clusters of fuzzy things like closed fans that fall off easily when the ball gets stepped on. This one is mostly intact, though maybe not for long!

Lichen Flower

I'm not sure what this structure is called,  but it has a lot of character. 

Sketch

Here is a first sketch of the lichen to get a sense of its structure. The yellowish "radar dishes" seem like fertile ground for some ideas. This is a complicated little beast though.

This Week - Old Man's Beard Lichen

I believe this is a type of Usnea lichen called Old Man's Beard. I found it on the ground in the woods along a small deer path near the river. We have a lot of deer so those small paths are plentiful, though at one point I had to get on hands and knees to follow it under some serious thorn bushes.

Before finding it I first came upon a pretty good sized black snake taking advantage of the path for a little sun. We became aware of each other at the same time and as I took a step back, he thrashed himself off the path to my right. Now I know full well that a black snake is harmless, but try telling that to the primitive part of my brain which held me in place for a time.

I eventually found the snake a few feet off the path to my right. I also noticed a few blades of grass vibrating slightly. I took a step along the path and the vibrating increased. The dry grass made a credible rattle sound. Now I've never seen a rattle snake in the wild, but we all know that sound. I was impressed that this harmless black snake had the ability to make my primitive brain create enough doubt in my logical brain about turning my back on it. Eventually logic won out and I went on my way. All I can say is I'm glad the meeting didn't come while on my hands and knees.

I'm looking forward to exploring this alien like piece of lichen in my digital sketchbook this week.

Twisted tips

Infinite Painter has a nice paint texture function. I used it on these twisted needles with brush stylus.

Pine Needle Bullies

It's so unfair when five mean needles gang up on the lonely little one? Not pretty.

Pine Needles 1

The first drawing focuses on the top part where the needles come together,  the basal fascicle. That's right,  I figured out what it was called.