Low life

The lichen on the rocks is a rude and simple shield which beginning and imperfect Nature suspended there. Still hangs her wrinkled trophy.

Henry David Thoreau was a little cavalier when it came to lichens (among other things.)  Far from being rude and simple they are sophisticated and complex. The relationship between their constituent parts (alga/fungus) is still not fully understood. Identification of all but the best known species is challenging even for specialists.

This is a crustose lichen but I wouldn't presume to hazard a guess at the species. But look at the textures, shapes and colours. They make me think of abstract paintings,  tapestries, mosaics, lunar landscapes and old  maps. I can see something like a cloud that looks something like a sheep. Here is a whole gallery of lichenography, as natural art and as imaginative craft.*
Here are some more of mine (two images aren't but they came up in the search.)

*But for some really cool nature-inspired textiles do have a look at Mr Finch - he's incredible.