Japanese cherry blossoms were planted around Washington’s Tidal Basin in 1912 as a gift of friendship between the two nations. Actually, the initial batch of 2,000 trees arrived two years earlier but became infested with pests and had to be destroyed – fortunately the second attempt was successful. Ever since every spring cherry blossoms draw crowds of enthusiasts and photographers to DC, myself included. Each year they also inspire dozens of haiku writers to capture the special moments courtesy of the delicate blossoms. I have to say given what’s going on in here this one (submitted to the Washington Post by dmor) is my favorite:
“Beautiful flowers
Pretty and ephemeral as
Bipartisanship”
This year the timing and the weather didn’t quite work out for the optimal peak blooming viewing of the cherry blossoms – at least for me. So instead of trying to scramble for miserable shots of half-fallen blooms, I hereby present my best of collection from the last few years. Following in the footsteps of past generations…
Photographers along the Tidal Basin, 1922 (Image: LOC)
Classic view of cherry-framed Jefferson Memorial
A new perspective
Japanese Lantern beside the Tidal Basin
Blossoms up close
Oh so pretty
Pink cherry
Pink everywhere!
Washington Monument against incredibly blue sky
Washington panorama
Cherry blossom sunset
Read on:
Sandstone and amber 
In the UK the flowering of the cherry blossom usually means that we are in for some bad weather which then blows it all away!
That’s pretty much what happened last weekend here when the cherries were in peak bloom =(
I have not seen Japanese cherry blossoms in 20 years! The sight of cities covered in pink and white was rather a magical experience 🙂
It really is!
It’s interesting to hear how the cherry blossoms got there and what they symbolize – I had never heard that. Great collection of pictures too.
Many thanks!
Very nice!! I don’t think the weather worked out for anybody this year – I went last weekend, and most of the buds were still closed, and I went again today and most tries were almost past blooming? It was my first year here in DC for this so I was a bit disappointed… so your beautiful photos are very uplifting 🙂
There is always next year =) But good to have you in DC – we should get together (skontaktujÄ™ siÄ™ mailem)
Wiesz, ze wlasnie o tym myslalam? chyba mamy podobne zainteresowania…