I often find attracting subjects in a messy environment. Seldom I succeed in isolating it during exposure. I am experimenting with vignetting lately. I hope it works.
I don't know if there is enough lichen in this photo!
You have done a good job in isolating the subject. Here in the Northeast of the US we have the same problem with photography in the woods... way too much info & detail. Selective vignetting seems to work well here.
I updated the picture. What seemed to be grainy was only an effect of over sharpening after scaling down the picture. I use a CRT-Monitor so it doesn't show up. Seeing the same picture on a TFT is horrible. A grainy look wasn't intended and does not correspond with the original print (but as you seem to like it, I will think about it ) I hope it's ok now.