Bob Danley
@imagewildlife.bsky.social
Photographer, naturalist - advocate for wildlife
Encountered Split-peg Lichen (Cladonia cariosa) the other day. Somewhat distinctive from other pixie cups (generic name for genus). Common on moss over rock or soil in western Montana. Well named, note the longitudinal fissures of the podetia (i.e. stem).
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Encountered Split-peg Lichen (Cladonia cariosa) the other day. Somewhat distinctive from other pixie cups (generic name for genus). Common on moss over rock or soil in western Montana. Well named, note the longitudinal fissures of the podetia (i.e. stem).
Found a striking #lichen on a large decaying tree trunk in moist coniferous forest canyon. In dry conditions thallus is a bright pale green patch with pale pink apothecia. With rainfall/moisture the thallus becomes deeper green and apothecia orangish. Fairly common w. Montana.
![Typical irregularly shaped patch (actually thallus [vegetative body]) of Candy Lichen. Yep, found growing on decaying wood. Quite a sight to behold in a dark green/brown forest floor.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yho6jlgthca2ejc5cjtihrbh/bafkreibgja65wht74aasfgjh7j7whl7lwqdtr6t3nlzytwj7gn44b4jmca@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Found a striking #lichen on a large decaying tree trunk in moist coniferous forest canyon. In dry conditions thallus is a bright pale green patch with pale pink apothecia. With rainfall/moisture the thallus becomes deeper green and apothecia orangish. Fairly common w. Montana.
Moss over rock is the perfect substrate for some Cladonia lichen. These organisms usually top out at an inch in height, if that. Easily recognized even from a distance, hair-like. Up close they resemble a decorated goblet that contains your dinner wine 😊
November 23, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Moss over rock is the perfect substrate for some Cladonia lichen. These organisms usually top out at an inch in height, if that. Easily recognized even from a distance, hair-like. Up close they resemble a decorated goblet that contains your dinner wine 😊
Small number of mushrooms still being seen in western MT. All posted are Cortinarius sp. Easy to separate from other fungi genera by the orange-rusty spores on the leftover cortina of the stem. #MacroMonday
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Small number of mushrooms still being seen in western MT. All posted are Cortinarius sp. Easy to separate from other fungi genera by the orange-rusty spores on the leftover cortina of the stem. #MacroMonday
Standing dead conifer trunk for #BWFri as directed by #ColorADay. Interesting that the wood twists/spirals, is that just an artifact of weathering? Also a reminder of the finite nature of life.
November 15, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Standing dead conifer trunk for #BWFri as directed by #ColorADay. Interesting that the wood twists/spirals, is that just an artifact of weathering? Also a reminder of the finite nature of life.
Couple of Sentinel High School students, Evan (left) and Oakley (right), assisted with trash pickup at a favorite Lolo, MT scenic pull off. They were enthusiastic in their efforts and a great example of young men getting involved in the community. Thank you Evan and Oakley 👍😊
November 14, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Couple of Sentinel High School students, Evan (left) and Oakley (right), assisted with trash pickup at a favorite Lolo, MT scenic pull off. They were enthusiastic in their efforts and a great example of young men getting involved in the community. Thank you Evan and Oakley 👍😊
Lucky you Mindy...you've found a cool liverwort. Looks like Marchantia polymorpha...found in wild and greenhouses!
Pictured is my personal favorite liverwort: Snakeskin Liverwort (Conocephalum conicum). Thanks for sharing the small alien-like world...macro rocks :-)
Pictured is my personal favorite liverwort: Snakeskin Liverwort (Conocephalum conicum). Thanks for sharing the small alien-like world...macro rocks :-)
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Lucky you Mindy...you've found a cool liverwort. Looks like Marchantia polymorpha...found in wild and greenhouses!
Pictured is my personal favorite liverwort: Snakeskin Liverwort (Conocephalum conicum). Thanks for sharing the small alien-like world...macro rocks :-)
Pictured is my personal favorite liverwort: Snakeskin Liverwort (Conocephalum conicum). Thanks for sharing the small alien-like world...macro rocks :-)
It's #YellowThu from #ColorADay featuring Brown-eyed Sunshine Lichen. Note the ice/snow on the Ponderosa Pine twig. Yep, that means you (folks in Pacific NW) can get a blast of color throughout the winter by finding this lichen.
November 13, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It's #YellowThu from #ColorADay featuring Brown-eyed Sunshine Lichen. Note the ice/snow on the Ponderosa Pine twig. Yep, that means you (folks in Pacific NW) can get a blast of color throughout the winter by finding this lichen.
Find old decayed stumps (left photo) and there's a good chance it will be covered with moss and #lichen, especially pixie cup lichen. Note the numerous light green 'eyelashes', zoomed in on right photo. These are named Smooth-footed Powderhorn lichen. Found: Pacific NW and eastern U.S.
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Find old decayed stumps (left photo) and there's a good chance it will be covered with moss and #lichen, especially pixie cup lichen. Note the numerous light green 'eyelashes', zoomed in on right photo. These are named Smooth-footed Powderhorn lichen. Found: Pacific NW and eastern U.S.
While out doing shroom photography I encountered this bird slowly, methodically foraging for food in conifer forest habitat. I moved very slowly positioning camera for some shots. Not entirely successful, however great material for a #birding quiz. Can you identify this bird? ID via alt text :-)
November 12, 2025 at 1:37 AM
While out doing shroom photography I encountered this bird slowly, methodically foraging for food in conifer forest habitat. I moved very slowly positioning camera for some shots. Not entirely successful, however great material for a #birding quiz. Can you identify this bird? ID via alt text :-)
Thank you Veteran's for our preserving our freedoms and way of life.
Generated AI image courtesy of Gemini 2.5 Pro.
Generated AI image courtesy of Gemini 2.5 Pro.
November 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Thank you Veteran's for our preserving our freedoms and way of life.
Generated AI image courtesy of Gemini 2.5 Pro.
Generated AI image courtesy of Gemini 2.5 Pro.
Encountered a large root wad (~8' in diameter) from a downed Douglas Fir. Loved the size, shape, colors, compactness of the roots...tried to capture my feelings towards this reality. This is a good reason to get outside...no need to name or be a biologist...just feel what you see...and you will😊
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Encountered a large root wad (~8' in diameter) from a downed Douglas Fir. Loved the size, shape, colors, compactness of the roots...tried to capture my feelings towards this reality. This is a good reason to get outside...no need to name or be a biologist...just feel what you see...and you will😊
Bass Creek Crags seen (looking south) from the Bass Creek Overlook of the Bitterroot N.F. for #MountainMonday. Elevation about 9,600' located near Stevensville, Montana.
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Bass Creek Crags seen (looking south) from the Bass Creek Overlook of the Bitterroot N.F. for #MountainMonday. Elevation about 9,600' located near Stevensville, Montana.
Even with freezing temperatures at night there are still some fungi fruiting in early November! Pictured is an interesting fungi: Donkey Ears. Dozen species look very similar, but lack the pinkish color of the 'interior' and not as large and upright (2-4").
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Even with freezing temperatures at night there are still some fungi fruiting in early November! Pictured is an interesting fungi: Donkey Ears. Dozen species look very similar, but lack the pinkish color of the 'interior' and not as large and upright (2-4").
Have only seen Blue-green Stropharia (Stropharia aeruginosa) one time. Green and blue mushrooms are rare finds in the Pacific Northwest (Trudell and Ammirati 2009). Can be found in forested habitat, grassy areas and gardens of low elevations. So enjoy #ColorADay for #GreenSat.
November 9, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Have only seen Blue-green Stropharia (Stropharia aeruginosa) one time. Green and blue mushrooms are rare finds in the Pacific Northwest (Trudell and Ammirati 2009). Can be found in forested habitat, grassy areas and gardens of low elevations. So enjoy #ColorADay for #GreenSat.
Juniper Hairstreak is a 'critter that flies' ( #FlyDay ) during May into July. As its name indicates the host plants for this #butterfly are junipers. Commonest green hairstreak in the American West. A beautiful creature when perched for leisurely viewing :-)
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Juniper Hairstreak is a 'critter that flies' ( #FlyDay ) during May into July. As its name indicates the host plants for this #butterfly are junipers. Commonest green hairstreak in the American West. A beautiful creature when perched for leisurely viewing :-)
Been overcast/PC with periods of sprinkles today. Certainly need some #yellow as suggested by #ColorADay. Posted is some bright yellow via the wildflower Common Large Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus). Color delivered by 1.5 inch tubular flowers. Common in wet roadside ditches of western Montana.
November 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Been overcast/PC with periods of sprinkles today. Certainly need some #yellow as suggested by #ColorADay. Posted is some bright yellow via the wildflower Common Large Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus). Color delivered by 1.5 inch tubular flowers. Common in wet roadside ditches of western Montana.
Some fungi 'sweat' during metabolism, process is named guttation. A toothed fungi by the name Strawberries and Cream (Hydnellum peckii) is a perfect example. In this case the 'sweat' appears as #blood droplets on the cap. Highly apropos for #NightmareNov post.
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Some fungi 'sweat' during metabolism, process is named guttation. A toothed fungi by the name Strawberries and Cream (Hydnellum peckii) is a perfect example. In this case the 'sweat' appears as #blood droplets on the cap. Highly apropos for #NightmareNov post.
Check out the spiny #legs on this Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus) damselfly for #NightmareNov. Legs w/spines held as a basket in flight for catching small insects. Nineteen species found over North America with similar leggings. All measure about 1.5 inch lengthwise. Find June-Aug.
November 6, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Check out the spiny #legs on this Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus) damselfly for #NightmareNov. Legs w/spines held as a basket in flight for catching small insects. Nineteen species found over North America with similar leggings. All measure about 1.5 inch lengthwise. Find June-Aug.
Pictured is Precambrian rock formed at an estimate of "between about 1500 and 800 million years ago" (Alt and Hyndman 1986). Commonly referred to as 'Belt Rock'. It is sedimentary in nature, deposited mud in a low oxygen atmosphere. Commonly exposed around Missoula, MT. #RockinTuesday
November 4, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Pictured is Precambrian rock formed at an estimate of "between about 1500 and 800 million years ago" (Alt and Hyndman 1986). Commonly referred to as 'Belt Rock'. It is sedimentary in nature, deposited mud in a low oxygen atmosphere. Commonly exposed around Missoula, MT. #RockinTuesday
#MacroMonday to the rescue with some color, beauty to the start of the work week. Pictured is a Pasqueflower (Anemone patens) bloom, wildflower found in Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, northern Midwest. Flowering May through August. Native perennial of grassland, forest, steppe.
November 3, 2025 at 11:57 PM
#MacroMonday to the rescue with some color, beauty to the start of the work week. Pictured is a Pasqueflower (Anemone patens) bloom, wildflower found in Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, northern Midwest. Flowering May through August. Native perennial of grassland, forest, steppe.
Mountain tops starting to receive first snowfalls. Lolo Peak (elevation 9,096 feet) of the Bitterroot Mountain chain pictured. Note the dead standing timber (high on the mountain slope) from a 54,000 acre wildfire happening in 2017. #MountainMonday
November 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Mountain tops starting to receive first snowfalls. Lolo Peak (elevation 9,096 feet) of the Bitterroot Mountain chain pictured. Note the dead standing timber (high on the mountain slope) from a 54,000 acre wildfire happening in 2017. #MountainMonday
Here are four late October fungi in one composite image. Generically referred to as Coral (upper left image) or Club fungi. All found on conifer forest floor of western Montana. Takes good concentration to find them because of size and blend well with other vegetation. Forms, colors are awesome :-)
November 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Here are four late October fungi in one composite image. Generically referred to as Coral (upper left image) or Club fungi. All found on conifer forest floor of western Montana. Takes good concentration to find them because of size and blend well with other vegetation. Forms, colors are awesome :-)
Watch along the trails you're walking for #Halloween ...you might step on a brain-like #mushroom coming out of the ground. Note the grayish-white perforated stem somewhat indicating a dead, zombie-like organism. Common in the Pacific Northwest in fall. Be looking 🧟♀️
October 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Watch along the trails you're walking for #Halloween ...you might step on a brain-like #mushroom coming out of the ground. Note the grayish-white perforated stem somewhat indicating a dead, zombie-like organism. Common in the Pacific Northwest in fall. Be looking 🧟♀️
Not very scary sizewise or form, but oh that bloody color is a perfect Halloween find searching the damp, dark shaded conifer forest in the Pacific Northwest. Usually found in small clusters as pictured.
October 31, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Not very scary sizewise or form, but oh that bloody color is a perfect Halloween find searching the damp, dark shaded conifer forest in the Pacific Northwest. Usually found in small clusters as pictured.