Spring Beauties

            Getting old in springtime means time is moving backwards. I am moving from autumn to winter in ways that I do not need to detail here. But outside, spring is starting to happen and the world gets younger.

            Spring comes slowly here in Northern Michigan - one morning last week it was 30 degrees (and that's Fahrenheit) with a little snow in the air. For the last few weeks Kim and I have ventured into the woods to document spring’s arrival, mainly in the form of flowers and butterflies. We work as a team: I say, "There's a flower!" or “Butterfly behind you!” and Kim photographs it after adjusting camera settings, then identifies it, catalogues it on her computer, and does the occasional cropping and other Adobe magic. It’s about 50 -50 between us, as I drove the car to the woods.

 

            Enough talk – let’s get to the pictures.

Spring Beauty - thus my title

Trilium

Trilia

Squirrel Corn - don't ask me why

Dutchman's Breeches. Gotta be fun coming up with these names.

Closetfull of Dutchman's Breeches

Canada White Violet

Eh?

Jack-in-the-pulpit. Must be a story behind this name.

Imagine these two Jacks having a conversation.

Trout Lily, aka Adder's Tongue

Bellwort

Celadon Poppy

Sharp-lobed Hepatica, with visitor

Elderberry Tree

Hoary Elfin - about the size of your pinky fingernail.

Chryxus Arctic. Try pronouncing that.

Chryxus Arctic - flip side

Compton Tortoiseshell

Mourning Cloak - usually the first spring arrival. They overwinter as adults, as do I.

Spring beauty, indeed!