Cherry Blossoms in DC

“Look at the cherry blossoms!
Their color and scent fall with them,
Are gone forever,
Yet mindless
The spring comes again.”
― Ikkyu

I was in my forties the first time I went to Washington, DC.  I remember vividly how amazed I was to finally see, in person, all of the things I had seen throughout my life on television.  During one of my visits to DC, I was able to be there while the cherry blossoms were blooming.  About a month ago, I mentioned to my husband that I would like to see the cherry blossoms bloom again in my lifetime.

To my delight, further investigation showed that the peak of the cherry blossom bloom would be, this year, almost exactly on my birthday.  My husband was kind enough to agree to take me to Washington, DC for my birthday so that I could experience and photograph the cherry blossoms.

While in DC, I had two opportunities to photograph the sunrise.  The first morning was more a time to get my bearings, work alongside the largest group of photographers I had ever encountered, and just take in the beauty.

On the second morning down to the Tidal Basin, the light was great, conditions were calm, and I  had more of an idea of what I wanted to create.

All I had to do that morning, was follow the light.

I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to visit our nation’s capitol while at the peak of the cherry blossom bloom.  If you have never visited Washington, DC when the cherry trees are blooming, I highly recommend that you do.

I hope you will check in later this week to see what else we were able to see and photograph while in Washington, DC.