Wildflower season in Kalamazoo has begun! I visited the Kalamazoo Nature Center this afternoon and was surprised by the number of species in flower. Most of these weren't at their peak, with just a few individual plants in bloom and many more almost ready. Hepatica may be at its peak and Harbinger of Spring has been blooming for a few weeks and may be past its peak, but the rest of these have plenty of season remaining.
Blue-eyed Mary
Spring Beauty
Harbinger of Spring
Dutchman's Breeches
Yellow Trout Lily
I did see a few other flowering species. Marsh Marigold was just getting started. Rue anenome and Toothwort had plenty of flowers. Skunk cabbage were mostly done blooming but a few plants still showed their mottled maroon buds (or spathes.)
The most exciting thing I saw was an otter swimming across the Kalamazoo River, but I had the wrong lens for a decent photo.