When I was growing up in Holland, my dad was always telling me that this type of moss could only grow in clean air. This was in the Shenandoah Mountains, the air must have been quite clean, as the moss was abundant everywhere.
Thanks. I was debating blurring the background, but really, I wanted what I really saw beneath my feet. My eyes didn't blur any of the rest ;). This particular path was filled with leaves, twigs and other "ground" stuff.