Babs Young has been out and about in the wildflowers this weekend, and writes: My, spring seems early this year. It seems like we are having a real spring here for once. I found these out today. I know the yellow one is a trout lily, but not sure what the little ones are.
I have my uses. I can report that the little ones are Spring Beauty. My guide, Stan Tekiela, says that their range is the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, but the Lake Michigan shore creates its own climate, and these little lovelies grow happily in Torch Lake Township, too.
The peepers were putting on a concert tonight as I left the market. Apparently the cold snap didn’t do them any harm. Good. Bring on some gentle warming, day by day by day. I have a good feeling about this year.
Every week photographer Babs Young captures moments in northern Michigan, and every week she sends one to Torch Lake Views just for you. You can find more of her photos at the Babs Young Photo Archives and on her Blue Heaven Flickr photostream.
Torch Lake Views 
Cindy Lou
April 12, 2010
Our trout lilies are up but not in bloom here yet…soon, soon, soon! Those little ones certainly are Spring Beauties….lovely! Still waiting patiently for the peeper chorus.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
The lilies at the Writing Studio and Bait Shop leaf out profusely but seldom bloom at all. I saw lots of them over in Chestonia a couple of springs ago. I was on my way to visit Chad Pastotnik’s Deep Wood Press and got sidetracked along the Cedar River. They were everywhere. Happy accident, that distraction.
Katherine
April 12, 2010
WOW already? Haven’t seen them yet.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
We should map the best places to see wildflowers in the Township. Dutchmen’s breeches, for example, must be the Community Flower of Eden Shores.
Fee
April 12, 2010
That yellow one needs a new name – “trout lily” doesn’t sound very attractive, and it’s a pretty plant. Trout aren’t the bonniest of fish, in my humble opinion.
Babs Young
April 12, 2010
I thought this correct, but did check a higher source than my brain, and it comes from the speckled leaves that are supposed to resemble the spotted skin of the trout. However I agree that it could have a better name. Gerry is good with this, we’ll leave it up to her to rename the Trout Lily.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
This is funny–as I was writing a response to Fee you were writing one too. So what do you think of Fawn Lily? (I found it, didn’t devise it–my feelings won’t be hurt if you don’t like it.)
Fee
April 12, 2010
I do like it – Fawn makes me think of Bambi, and he’s cute. I will withdraw my libellous suggestion that trout aren’t pretty – the Michigan ones must have come off better than their Scottish relatives in the looks department!
The brown trout my dad fished for had a pugnacious look about them, which suggested (to my immature mind) that they wouldn’t shy away from a fight. The bar-room brawlers of the fish world, if you like.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
OK, I confess. Bonniness is in the eye of the beholder. Even my eyes discern the essential pugnacity of Brown Trout. But their spots are attractive in a bar-room brawler sort of way. They were “introduced” to Michigan well over 100 years ago, and are now an established part of our environment. Oh dear, I do seem to be attracted to disreputable sorts, don’t I!
But wait–Lake Trout and Brook Trout are more refined specimens. Tastier, too.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
I agree it’s an odd name for a flower, but it’s an improvement on “Adder’s Tongue” which is the first name I learned for it. But Fee, you could start an international incident by telling a Michiganian that trout are not bonny. Trout are exquisitely bonny. You just have to see them in their proper environment, which is, coincidentally, northern Michigan.
I found a site that lists many names for the pretty yellow flower, including Fawn Lily. I rather like that one.
Kathy
April 12, 2010
The trout lily is beautiful. And look at those little spring beauties. I haven’t seen any in the woods around here yet…but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Maybe time for a closer “look-see”.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
It’s likely to be an odd year for wildflowers. What I long to see–long to sniff, really–is arbutus. Haven’t seen any of that since I was a child.
Anna Surface
April 12, 2010
My, what an unusual flower, this lily, and I really like it! I love lilies! Gorgeous capture.
Gerry
April 12, 2010
It is a lovely thing. Babs will be pleased that you like it.
Scott
April 20, 2012
Awesome seeing these two flowers together!
Gerry
April 20, 2012
Yes it was – and here it is two years later and I haven’t seen a blooming trout lily yet. (The spring beauty has come and gone.) Another odd spring. Now I’m off to further explore Little Crum Creek. You are doing some very nice work over there.