Day 52 of Wonder

The mysteries of lichen covering the bare branches of a tree waiting for the first signs of spring. The branches are so saturated with green there is no sign of the brown bark underneath and I wonder how the tree survives. The thing is, lichen is not a parasite. It does not feed off the tree. The relationship between tree and lichen is symbiotic. Mutual. Lasting. Both independent and yet living together in harmony. There's no competition. Survival of the fittest has no relevance here. A wonder of nature.