Sakura- Cherry Blossoms in DC

It was good fortune to be in DC this year as the cherry blossoms came into bloom.  In Japan, the ornamental Prunus subg. Cerasus are symbolic of the ephemeral nature of life,  and also tied to national spirit.  -They are called Sakura in Japan.- These abundant flowering trees are native to Asia, and contrast with our native cherries that have modest blooms but yield abundant fruits.

While most attention is given to the cherry blossoms around the National Mall, there are many displays throughout Washington such as this towering cherry tree just off Rock Creek Park.

One early morning, I walked over to photograph the scene.  When I complimented the owner on the tree's beauty, he remarked that a professional arborist cares for the tree.

There are over twelve hundred cherries near the Tidal Basin.  They don't all bloom at the same time nor display identical coloration.  These pinks are just a little short of full bloom.

 Along the promenade one sees some very old cherry trees.  I was told there are twelve trees that date back to the original gift from Japan in 1912.  Perhaps this is one of those.

Walking farther along the path, the visitor comes to another striking monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.  There was a decision to make with this scene.  Where to put the focus?  My decision was that you immediately know it is MLK Jr., even if soft. The tree is less obvious out of focus.

And, sometimes the best scenes are found when looking away from the Tidal Basin. Here is a first surprise.  This is a rare location to capture the reflection of the Washington Monument.  All other places had tree branches over the monument.

It was time to return to our apartment, and the sun was so intense.  On the way to the bus stop near  the Mall, there was another cherry framing the Washington Monument.

I learned two things while doing these photos.  First, be there early if possible. By late morning, it gets very crowded.  Finally, use transit - whether the Metro to the Smithsonian station or a bus. I used the number 52 bus that delivered me even closer that the Metro.  Senior fare was only $1.   I walked one block to number 52 route begins, and arriving at 14th and Constitution it was only about four to the tidal basin.  Beats driving.

Paul

An Urban Exploration

 In 2023,  we will be spending about half of our time in Metropolitan Washington.  We are "grand parenting".  Can I find natural habitats to satisfy my photographic interests? This winter, I've been including a good number of black and white edits that look largely at form in an image when colors are frequently lacking.

An initial exploration was the Great Falls of the Potomac on the Virginia side.  It's a powerful falls, and that was my focus.

The falls is huge, but the real feel is better captured in a close view.  The sky would be a distraction, right?

Our location in DC requires only a five minute walk to be in Rock Creek Park where I can find many walking trails and also park roads closed to thru  traffic.  On one morning, I road a bus north towards the Maryland border and quickly was on a nice trail into the upper part of the park.  The traffic on Sixteenth Street was roaring, but in the park I only saw a few walkers.  The trail topped a rock bluff overlooking the creek.  The next day I returned to reach the opposite side of the creek.

I discovered several beds of wildflowers along my path.  Next week, I will be back for these as I expect the Snow Drops to be blooming.  

Along the creek, I discovered early hints of spring including these red maple tree buds. 

The stream side beech trees were still holding onto last year's leaves.

By all appearances, Rock Creek Park is an old growth forest.  There are no sawed off tree stumps; no evidence of any timber harvest in a century. I saw many truly massive trees.  Along the banks of the creek, large trees often send their roots over the bank toward the stream. Beautiful.

Near Military Road, I came upon the Joaquin Miller Cabin at a stream side picnic grove.  The cabin's namesake was an eccentric poet who lived in it from 1883 to 1885.  Originally located at Sixteenth and Belmont Streets, it was relocated to the park when city growth targeted it for removal.

Here's a final discovery from my rambling along the creek.  I wonder how I will treat these scenes when the leaves begin to add greens and also start to hide some of the details I find so easily now?

Of course,  I did find some colors to celebrate even in early March. This bunch of daffodils is far removed from any garden.  Perhaps the squirrels relocated them?

Another good location I have found is Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland.  It is rich with carefully designed flower beds and ornamental trees.  These Asian Witch Hazel flowers were more dazzling than the nearby native varieties.

On my next visit, I am hoping to find more flowering trees including the famous Japanese Cherry Trees.  Finding them in bloom will require some mastery of the bus system plus some magic with the spring weather. I make no promises. 

I am actually surprised at what I could find to photograph, and also that Rock Creek Park was largely free of litter.

Paul