You know it's Spring when the skunk cabbage emerges from the primordial ooze and lights up the wetlands with an electric lemon-yellow. The first time I saw one of these about 16 years ago, I thought it was hilarious. It looked like something out of a bad dinosaur movie and smelled even worse. Now I do a happy dance whenever I see them. Life! Life! Life!
(Photo taken on yesterday's morning walk.)
I clicked the link to Wikipedia on Skunk Cabbage and found that it is also called "Swamp Lantern". I really like that imagery. I have two dogs and "skunk" is not a descriptor that I relish---but I can really get behind "swamp lantern". I also look forward to seeing them emerge each spring--and even their musky perfume lets me know that life is happening. They really do brighten up the marsh with their sunny spikes.
Posted by: Deb | March 28, 2007 at 10:37 AM
It's aliiiiive! Beautiful shot, thanks for sharing. Some of us who are still getting snowed on need to see the hope of green living things. :)
Posted by: heather | March 28, 2007 at 03:17 PM
Up here in New England (specifically the Live Free or Die state), skunk cabbage have another neat trick -- they'll melt their way through the snow about this time of year. its very cool to see the bright green leaves in a perfect circle of bare ground (or swamp), and everywhere else is covered with snow.
Posted by: Don | March 28, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Neon yellow and a pungent fragrance which carries for miles - for all that, I am always happy to see (and smell) skunk cabbage making its appearance in the woods in springtime. A bracing scent to be sure. . . .
Posted by: Cate (KerrdeLune | March 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
I feel exactly the same - aren't those skunk cabbage awesome! Imagine my surprise when I found that the skunk cabbage around here has purple "flowers" instead. ;)
Posted by: JLB | March 31, 2007 at 09:36 AM