Andy Rodker's photos with the keyword: lichen

Man and His Man, Bawden Rocks (I'm sure he does - rude not to!), Cow and Calf. The three names used for that pair of rocks. St Agnes Head, Cornwall. Sight and Sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ciMZufh0Y I'd not heard this version before. It's superb. If you've got the patience, it's worth a listen.

It's been well over a year since I last walked here and I do miss it.

From the summit of Cancho Gordo with Cancho Largo (the highest point in the Sierra) on the right, overlooking the Bustarviejo valley.

Granite and lichen. North Cornish coast. For Pam .

Early autumn can be a good time to walk in these mountains. Cooler than Madrid on the plain below and often a pleasing breeze. (but even so, care is needed as temperatures can still reach 35ºc or more - approx 90ºF). I take 3 litres of water with me for a long walk here, right up to late November when I cut back to 2 litres. The weight of 3 litres of water on a morning upward slog - before you have drunk much of the water therefore you feel the weight more than later - tempts some folk to ignore this. They always regret it later in the day with the sun at its highest!!

Granite scenery. The eastern half of the sierra from the summit of Cancho Gordo. Sight and sound, Sorry - it is 13 minutes long. But it is a real fave of mine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLD8yMjVvkI after you get past the 5 minute pretentious intro.

Sierra de La Cabrera from behind Canchos Gordo and Largo, looking towards Cancho de La Bola. I only ever see this lichen on the cooler and more moisture-laden northern facing granite boulders and cliffs. In Cornwall, where moisture is all around, this lichen doen't have a favourite face and it therefore happily covers whole boulders. From memory, I think I ate my packed lunch here. Usually I wait until I reach my picnic table behind the far peak seen here. But I stopped too often to take photos and hence I was behind schedule if I wanted to get to Valdemanco in time catch the last bus back!

You need a head for heights! Right at the very end of St Agnes Head, Cornwall. For Pam.

Rock samphire, granite and lichen in the foreground, Towanroath pumping engine house on the skyline. For Pam.

La Sierra de La Cabrera, with Mondalindo and the Bustarviejo Valley. In the distance is Penalara, the highest peak in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Granite and lichen in the foreground.

Granite and lichen in La Sierra de La Cabrera (El Cancho Largo up top).

Late July, early august and this vibrant orange lichen totally dominates the granite coast. Mainly found nearer the top of cliffs, a little above the saltwater splash zone anyway. And yet the rock samphire, also seen here in mid shot, grows close to the shoreline as it loves salt. This must be Geoff Boycott's 'corridor of uncertainty' but in the biological, rather than cricketing, sphere. Oh dear, must be time for me to go to bed!

The cave (I have never discovered its name) from the top of Samphire Island. Orange lichen is growing on the granite. Most of the rock here is sandstone and greenstone. The islands withstand the onslaught of the sea better because of their granite content

Sierra de La Cabrera

Visible from here is the grassy ledge that runs along the face of the cliff and provides an interesting walk and/or a starting point for rock climbs.

The sea was this incredible colour!

Granite, lichen and stonecrop, looking out from the top of St Agnes Head towards the twin isles of Man and His Man, or Bawden Rocks as preferred by the O. S. Apologies everyone. I see that I also posted this only a month ago but such are the lovely comments I have decided to keep both.

St Agnes Head, Cornwall. Granite and lichen.