It has been a long time since my last blog-post. I have no excuse other than I stopped photographing as much as I used to and this led to less photos for my blog-posts. Having a puppy also took a lot of time, but this was not the reason. Lately I have started to miss blogging and I have started to bring my camera when I am out hiking with my dogs.

Last September I attended to an arrangement in Oslo where Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson spoke about the Norwegian forest. She is a scientist and professor at NMBU in Ås (Norway). She spoke about the importance of conservation of the forest and about the plants, moss, insects, beetles and mushrooms (and many more) that has its role in keeping the forest alive and in balance. Her speech was based on her book “Skogen – om trær, folk og 25000 andre arter” (in English it would be something like: “The forest – trees, people and 25000 other species”.). If one of these 25000 living beings disappear it can have serious consequences for the forest and the environment. Her speech was very enlightening and interesting and it made me think that hiking in the forest is kind of my way getting to know the forest and after listening to her speech (and also reading her book) I wanted to learn even more.

The photo below is a close up of a birch tree with green lichen (I do not know which it is). Both the color and shape is beautiful. I wonder what can be the purpose for this lichen growing on the birch?