Cherry Blossom Time

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Washington, D.C. today.  This is about

 ten days early; I always used to go the first weekend in April, and they would always 

bloom then.  These are pictures I took a few years ago, but this is how Washington

 looks today.  The Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin with cherry blossoms.

The cherry trees were gifts of the Japanese Government to the U.S.  There are several

different varieties and colors: white, pale pink, deep pink, rose, single blossoms, and

double blossoms.

The trees are planted all around the Tidal Basin by the Jefferson Memorial and also

around the Washington Monument, along the Mall, and in many locations in D.C.

I hit the blossoms at their peak, in full bloom but not a blossom had dropped off yet.

Each step you take invites another picture; each one is perfect.  I was there fairly early

in the morning before the huge mid-day crowds appear.

The white blossoms completely cover the branches before the green leaves appear.

The branches along the water side are allowed to grow very long and droop over the path and

water, whereas the branches on the opposite side are trimmed to allow walking.

Sun shining through a branch of double pink cherry blossoms.

The trees are now 100 years old, gnarled, and interesting art objects in themselves.

By 10:30 in the morning, the mass of people is solid and you move along slowly

with the crowd, everyone taking hundreds of pictures.

The Washington Monument seen from the Tidal Basin.  It's north a few blocks.

Washington Monument and Cherry Trees around Tidal Basin.

This is a Weeping Cherry, which I like very much.  It is a couple of blocks away in the

garden of the Freer Museum of Asian Art.

Double white cherry blossoms.

A younger tree with single white cherry blossoms.

The branches become great balls of fluffy flowers.

 Branches overhanging the water.  These trees were bred to have lots of flowers,

but they do not produce edible fruit.

The line of cars along the streets nearby is solid all day long.  Trees also fill the park.

You can see here that the branches are covered by masses of flowers but no leaves.

Beautiful balls of double-pink cherry blossoms.

Looking across the Tidal Basin.  

A hanging branch.

Dark branches form a strong contrast to the pale flowers.

Crowds and blossoms.  For people living in D.C., this is an annual ritual.  Families come out

with grandparents and grandchildren and picnic lunches and blankets, and sit beside the

pond and flowering trees.  

Springtime in Washington is lovely.