3000 cherry trees, and...

...perfect timing.  That's all it took.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.  It's been on my photographic bucket list for quite a few years now.  But coordinating the timing of peak bloom with my peak availability hasn't worked out too well for me.  Until last week.

"Cherry Blossom Season"

Washington, D.C. Tidal Basin

Every year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo to Washington, D.C. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between Japan and the United States.

Upon the trees arrival, the first two were planted along the north bank of the tidal basin by the Mrs. Taft (the standing president's wife) and the wife of the Japanese ambassador.  Today, the trees line the entire Tidal Basin area, which is about a 2-mile circumference. 

In addition to the abundance of magnificent cherry trees, the tidal basin is also the centerpiece to a few national monuments and memorials.  There is a picturesque trail that loops the entire basin allowing walkers, joggers and bicyclists to take in the beauty of the area.  It takes about an hour to walk the entire basin area.  But if you have a camera?  Well...my apologies to Thing #2 who was my wingman on this adventure.

Since 1912, the gift giving between Japan and the United States has become reciprocal.  In addition to a gift of dogwoods, in 1981 the giving became full circle when the United States took cuttings from the original Washington, D.C. cherry trees and sent them to Japan to replace cherry trees that were destroyed in a flood.  The gift the keeps on giving.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival spans four weekends, welcomes 1.5 million visitors,  and includes a wide variety of events.  But the main event are the blossoms, which aren't on display for the entire festival duration.  Peak bloom only lasts a few days...  

"Fallen Petals"

Washington, D.C. Tidal Basin

...and my timing was pushing the limits.  The petals were beginning their drop.  Of course the rain the day before my arrival, followed by the wind while I was there didn't help my cause.  At times it looked like a snow squall of flying cherry blossoms in the air...and a light covering of fallen pink blossoms on the ground and tidal basin. Predicting peak bloom isn't easy to predict and it is difficult for the National Park Service to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days prior to peak bloom (which is when 70% of the trees are in full bloom).  National Park Service horticulturists closely monitor five distinct stages of bud development and provide timely forecasts and updates that can be found online.  Of course the date varies yearly depending on the weather conditions.  The one thing you CAN count on is the short life span of peak bloom.

"In Japanese culture... the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life.

It's a reminder that life is mostly overwhelmingly beautiful,

but that it is also tragically short."

-Homaro Cantu

3000 cherry trees and perfect timing.  400 photos later I can check one off the bucket list.  It's a beautiful thing.

P.S.  All photos were taken from the Tidal Basin trail.

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