Shalda Creek Iris by Michigan Nut Photography
John got this shot of wild Iris along the banks of Shalda Creek in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
See more on the Michigan Nut Facebook page and at michigannutphotography.com.
Iris lacustris by Bradford Slaughter
Some of you know that my mother Jill suffered for years from the terrifying effects of Alzheimers disease, ultimately passing last winter. June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and the Alzheimer’s Association encourages us to wear purple (and of course donate) to raise awareness about a disease that afflicts tens of millions of Americans.
June is also when you can see Michigan’s official State Wildflower, the Dwarf Lake Iris (Iris lacustris), in bloom:
The official wildflower of the Great Lakes State is right at home anywhere it can get its feet wet along the rocky coast of Northern Lake Huron, but those places are getting harder to come by.
This pint-sized perennial is known for its deep blue flowers that emerge mere inches above the ground for a fleeting few weeks in May and June—individual blossoms last just days. The rest of the time, its yellow-green leaves cling close to the ground, hiding in plain sight until springtime comes around again.
It’s a bit of a miracle this fragile flower exists at all: They grow in the thin, nutrient-poor soil that overlays limestone gravel and bedrock. The Northeast Michigan coast, rich with sand dunes and limestone deposits, creates the perfect habitat for the iris, found nowhere else outside the northern Great Lakes.
Along with a limited range that’s shrinking due to lakeshore development, the plant has been sought out by collectors who replant or sell it elsewhere. For these reasons, the dwarf lake iris was added in 1988 to the list of federally threatened species.
Read on for more at Huron Pines & for sure check out their Dwarf Lake Iris Best Practice Guide for tips on how to protect this flower!
Coincidentally, Bradford took this photo at Beavertail Point Nature Sanctuary on the northern coast of Lake Huron eight years ago on June 2nd, 2014 so I guess it’s a #TBT to boot! See more in his Iridaceae (Iris Family) gallery on Flickr
Holland’s annual Tulip Time Festival starts this Saturday and runs May 7-15, 2022. Tulip Time is the oldest tulip festival in North America that started in in 1929 when the City of Holland planted its first crop of 100,000 tulips, and it has continued to grow with national entertainment acts and events & activities for all ages.
The Tulip Time Festival shared this awesome photo from the 1950s, a perfect Throwback Thursday! Head over to their Facebook Page for more!
More tulips & Tulip Time on Michigan in Pictures.
Crocuses by Brooke Pennington
You might think that after thousands of years of coming up too soon and getting frozen, the crocus family would have had a little sense knocked into it.
-Robert Benchley
With a cold weekend ahead, I can’t help think about the bold crocuses. Stay warm, my purple pals!!
I’ve shared this stunning shot by Brooke before, and when it came up in my memories I had to share it again! More from Brooke on Flickr.
Michigan Spring?!? by Michelle Leale
I love a good April Fools, but I just don’t seem to have it in me this year. You can check out some of my (and others) Michigan April Fools pics from years past though.
Speaking of April Foolishness, the 4″ of snow outside is testing my patience!! Michelle took this back in April of 2018. See the latest on her Flickr & have a great weekend!
Eastern Market Flower Day by Eastern Market
Detroit’s Eastern Market shares that their popular Flower Day will return in 2022 on Suday, May 15th:
Flower Day takes place every year on the Sunday after Mother’s Day and has been a time-honored tradition of Eastern Market since 1967. Growers offer a wide variety of flowers at a great value so we recommend you come early for the best selection!
This special day is made possible through our partnership with the Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers Association. MDFGA members arrive every year from Michigan, Ontario, and neighboring states. They share 15 acres of the heartiest varieties of flowers for this region and they’re ready to share the best strategies of how to help their flora thrive.
We also offer free convenient parcel pickups so you can explore the market throughout the day without being attached to your flats of flowers.
More at Eastern Market. and also on their Eastern Market Flower Day Facebook event.
Eastern Market shared this pic back in 2020. Here’s a gallery from Flower Day 2019 on their Facebook page.
The first crocuses I’ve seen this spring by Bill Dolak
While I’m still waiting to see the first crocus here in Traverse City, Bill saw some on Friday in Kalamazoo. How about you – any crocuses or springy signs in your neck of Michigan??
Head over to Bill’s Flickr to see his latest & have an awesome week everyone!
Get your Spring on with Michigan in Pictures!
Sunflowers by Diane Greene Lent
Diane shared these sunflowers for Ukraine today in the Absolute Michigan photo group on Flickr. I don’t really have anything to add except for my own hopes & good wishes to the Ukrainian people at this terrible time.
See more in Diane’s Photo a Day 2022 gallery on Flickr.
Reaching for the light by Mike Carey
In just over a day – 3:20 PM tomorrow at the vernal equinox to be precise – Summer 2021 will be in the books. Here’s hoping you get a little of that summer light before it’s all gone!
See more in Mike’s Lake Michigan 2021 gallery on Flickr.
Sunflower & Monarch! by Michelle Leale
It’s been good to see a lot of monarch butterflies this August in my photo feed & in real life! Featuring a pair from Michelle today, the one above & the one below as the latest cover for the Michigan in Pictures Facebook page!
See more in Michelle’s feed & have an awesome week everyone!
Michigan in Pictures 