Trout lily

A trout lily by any other name...?

This early wildflower is also known as Faun lily, Adders Tongue, and Dogtooth violet, which is probably why botanists prefer the latin name Erythronium americanum. By any name, it was really popular with the bees and beetles at the Kalamazoo Nature Center yesterday afternoon.

Marsh Marigold

April 15 means income taxes but for me it's a reminder to go look for wildflowers around Kalamazoo. The marsh marigolds, Caltha palustris, were spectacular in the afternoon sun.