I am struggling to ID this colourful lichen, so I’m calling out for assistance: is there anyone out there familiar with lichens in Alberta (or perhaps North America) who can help me with a name for this? While hiking in Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park this fall, a group of us found a prolific brilliant yellow growth on several trees in one particular location. (This was above the upper falls, en route to the Ink Pots). It actually looked as if the trees were glowing, like they had been spray painted gold. There was a trickle of a mineral-laden spring nearby and we wonder if that has something to do with the unusual growth on specimens in just that area, but we really can’t explain it. I am familiar with old man’s beard lichen and wolf lichen (and know that the latter can sometimes be bright yellow in colour) – but this doesn’t appear to be either of those. Thanks in advance if you can help out on this one; even if I don’t get a positive ID, it’s still a fascinating find.
Flowery Prose 
Hope you get the answer
Thank you! I hope so, too!
It is unusual. If you find an answer, be sure and let us know.
I definitely will!
whatever it is, it is very beautiful –
It is such a brilliant colour! Just amazing.
Yes, hope you get the answer, and let us know if you do.
For sure! I will keep searching….
Prachtig.Ik hou ook ontzettend van korstmossen maar heel veel weet ik er zelf niet va,Maar wie weet kan er iemand je wel vooruit helpen
Thank you! I hope I will someday find out what it is.
I hope you eventually discover what it is. I doubt whether this will be of any help but it does look like Cushion Xanthoria that covers twigs and branches here – or maybe Candelaria concolor. They may be related?
Clare – I think you may be onto something here! I am so pleased and grateful to you! I checked the cushion Xanthoria and there are some related ones here in the Prairie provinces that look like possibilities: Xanthoria fallax (hooded sunburst lichen) or X. polycarpa (pincushion sunburst lichen) BUT I really think you hit the nail on the head with the Candelaria concolor. I found this page and it sure looks very much like this fits what we found: http://www.waysofenlichenment.net/lichens/Candelaria%20concolor. Unless I can find something more definitive, I’m going with C. concolor – I think that’s the one! Thanks so much for your help!
I am really pleased!
Great photos!
Thanks so much!