Spring Delayed - In the Swamp

Yesterday I went to Mission Creek Park to check out the wildflowers in the Cedar and Red Maple Swamps.  The only thing that was blooming at all was Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus).  Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris). The Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) that grows along the creek was barely poking out of the ground.  In fact there was still one patch of ice in the cedar swamp.

Skunk Cabbage flowers and shoots

2 to 3 inch thick ice - covering an area of approx 15 x 40 ft

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) growing through the ice

More Skunk Cabbage growing in a warmer location.  It is a little further along.

Today, we woke up to snow on the ground.  It's April 24th.  In Mid-Michigan.  It should be Spring.  It's trying.