We were trecking through the lush rainforest on a recent family adventure to Montezuma Falls in Tasmania when I noticed this Native Lichen up ahead, it up with a beam of light, beckoning me to come forward and take a look. The falls were absolutely breathtaking, cascading down through the heart of the rainforest, they were like something out of a fairytale. But this little patch of lichen fascinated me! Deep in the rainforest, sunlight filters through the canopy, painting the forest floor in emerald and gold. And nestled amongst the moss, these knobby, grayish-white lichen clung to an old log like miniature snow-dusted rocks. They weren’t the flashiest things around, but there was something so captivating about their rough-and-tumble texture. I spent ages kneeling there, camera in hand, lost in this tiny universe unfolding beneath my feet.

Maybe it’s the magic of the Tasmanian rainforest, or maybe I’m just getting soft in my old age, but this little patch of lichen reminded me of the hidden beauty in the everyday. It’s a nudge to slow down, to kneel and appreciate the intricate details that often get overlooked. So next time you’re out in nature, take a closer look. You might just discover a whole new world right at your feet!