Yellowish brown lichen for Mellow Yellow Monday

Yesterday while walking on a nature trail at New Maryland we saw this growth on a softwood tree. At first it appeared to be a large cluster oak leaves, however we soon realized it was not so as there were no twigs attached to the leaf-like cluster.  We next assumed it was some sort of fungus growth.Attempting to research what we might have found , there was nothing definite I found, however I have begun to think this growth is a lichen.  It was fascinating for sure, interesting.

  Got photos with yellow? That's all you need to qualify for the mellow yellow Monday meme: http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.cahttp://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.ca//. Just scroll down the right-hand side until you come to the mellow yellow Monday logo. Just click on the picture and you're there. Just continue on and enjoy!