in the shelter of the covered bridge – lichens on the Benton Bridge
Some of the species found growing ‘in the shelter of the covered bridge’ are unexpected. The Benton Bridge (Eel River #2) in west-central New Brunswick offered a few surprises.
~
~
The Benton Bridge, built in 1927, crosses the Eel River at Benton, York County. The bridge is in an open area of houses, hay fields and a picnic park. A huge lilac at the end of the bridge was busy with hawk mothshttps ( https://janetims.com/2015/06/10/in-the-shelter-of-the-covered-bridge-hummingbird-moths/) . And Stonefly nymphs, an indicator of excellent water quality, covered the boards on the side and end of the bridge ( https://janetims.com/2015/06/08/in-the-shelter-of-the-covered-bridge-stonefly-nymphs/ ). But, to me, the most interesting discovery was on the upstream side of the bridge.
~
~
On the north-east facing outside wall, two species of lichen grew:
Boreal oakmoss (Evernia mesomorpha) and burred horsehair (Bryoria furcellata). These are common lichens, usually found on trees in open coniferous woods or on scraggy trees in bogs. Perhaps they like the coolness and humidity offered by this side of the bridge! I am so grateful to Stephen Clayden of the New Brunswick Museum for identifying and commenting on these lichens.
~
~
on the north-east wall
~
Benton Bridge
Eel River #3
~
on the shaded side of the covered bridge
the walls are clothed, furred
in lichen
boreal oakmoss
yellow-grey and goose-fleshed
(Evernia mesomorpha)
burred horsehair
bristled, toasted and tangled
(Bryoria furcellata)
~
they thrive on the weathered boards
from eaves to river they follow
the runnel ways of damp
cool on the dark side of the bridge
bark and branches their usual home
~
~
Copyright Jane Tims 2016
nichepoetryandprose 
wow, that last photo, the lichen covered siding…. has me just mesmerized!! I LOVE it!! this is so cool, what a great shot Jane 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
debiriley
September 4, 2016 at 9:55 pm
Thanks! It’s like the bridge had grown fur!
LikeLiked by 1 person
jane tims
September 5, 2016 at 9:33 am
Loving the mood created by moss, lichens, and weathered boards…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Barbara Rodgers
August 12, 2016 at 9:56 am
Hi Barbara. There is a mood to this … the finding of an ideal space … Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
August 12, 2016 at 4:50 pm
Nice photos, Jane. Thank you for the links as well. Your journey continues … and you take us along with you …
LikeLiked by 1 person
rogermoorepoet
August 12, 2016 at 9:02 am
Hi Roger. Thanks. This is the last poem to be added to my manuscript. I am in the final edits and then, it’s off to my publisher to see how he likes it. Jane
LikeLiked by 1 person
jane tims
August 12, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I hope it goes well. In fact, I know it will. You have been writing some very good poems recently. I hope they do well. They will. Blessings on you and them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
rogermoorepoet
August 12, 2016 at 6:13 pm