Mushrooms and lichens are my areas of expertise. I am a microbiologist and environmental engineer based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I am focusing on providing genus level identification for lichens. If I provide a genus ID, your species ID might still be correct, but I am not going down to that level.

I have been leading mushroom walks for the past eight (8) years and providing identifications in that time through the upper midwest. I am learning more about lichens and working on my identification skills there.

I teach fungal workshops and enjoy the field of education. Feel free to tag me on an observation and I will check it out.

Here are the best types of photos for lichen observations:

1. A picture of the lichen top down filling the frame of the image with as much of the lichen in focus as possible. Looking for color and habit of the thallus (body, non reproductive structures)
2. Close up pictures of reproductive structures, e.g., apothecia (cups), soredia (granular bits), isidia (finger like projections), or other unique features.
3. A picture of the underside for color, veination, and rhizines.
4. A picture to understand the substrate, e.g., rock type, tree genus or species, soil habitat, e.g., sandy, loamy, base of tree, etc.