This was taken in northern Minnesota, when my father was showing me the stacks of milled wood that he'd saved up for building a log cabin, something which he has long been dreaming to do. On this rainy summer afternoon, I was taken by this brilliant red budded lichen growing from the treasured wood.

These specimens appear to Cladonia cristatella, commonly known as the British soldiers lichen.

All I had at hand on the bumpy truck ride through the field was an old Olympus point and shoot, on macro setting. This nonetheless was a very happy day enjoying nature with my father and daydreaming. The festive color of the lichen seemed to mimic my happiness.