Cherry Blossoms

So, what has been going on with me this last month? Work, work, work. Also, the DC spring allergy season hit me so hard, I'm wondering how much more pseudoephedrine I can put into my body without testing positive for meth.

One good thing about DC in the spring? The cherry blossoms.
So. Very. Lovely. They were a gift from the Japanese government in 1912. Did you know some were planted in Manhattan, too?

I went down this past weekend, when the Park Service predicted the trees would be at their peak, but the cold nights kept them as buds, and I felt very bad for all the tourists who had traveled so far to see them. However, even the buds are gorgeous. They're a deep pink color and lovely to see.

The biggest crop of trees were planted around the gorgeous Tidal Basin.

They were even pinker in real life.

There were a few trees here and there
that were blooming among the buds.

There were also entertainments,
such as this delightful Indian dance troupe.

I went down again yesterday to see the trees in full bloom. They are really impressive.

 

Quite a difference, eh?

 

I stopped at this bridge to set down my bag and change lenses.
That was when my 55-200 mm lens almost went straight into
the drink. It slipped out of my hands and began to roll into the
Tidal Basin. I caught it just in time and all I could think was
how Kristen is always so appalled at my lack of care with my lenses.

The Jefferson Memorial is my favorite, and so beautifully situated.

Did you know this? Very cool.

I've never seen so many cameras in one place. Everywhere you
looked, people were under the canopy of blooms, snapping away
with everything from iPhones to professional cameras on tripods.

Some of the trees were still very pink
and looked gorgeous next to the fluffy, whiter trees.

This city has never looked so good!