What the Camera Saw: Cherry Blossoms at Dawn

We start the beginning of March to follow the predictions for peak bloom of the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The madness of March was in full swing this year, petulant snow followed by giddy sun and warmth, it kept the window of peak bloom ever fluid. We closed our eyes and picked what we hoped would be a stellar day. And it was. We were ahead of peak bloom, but the cherry trees hold a mystery and magic all their own that is not dependent on their bloom status.

We parked about 3/4 of a mile from the basin and hiked in with other early birds, the city still hushed. My heart still catches at the first glimpse of the tidal basin from the bridge. We stayed a total of 14 hours that day, shooting both the dawn and sunset. This is what the camera saw in the dawn and morning hours.

 

The moon was setting in the predawn hush.
The moon was setting in the predawn hush.
In moments, the sky changes as the sun starts to peek over the horizon.
In moments, the sky changes as the sun starts to peek over the horizon.
Serenity
Serenity
The golden light of the first sun.
The golden light of the first sun.
A darling house sparrow. He and his mate were singing so sweetly.
A darling house sparrow. He and his mate were singing so sweetly.

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The play of morning light and breeze.
The play of morning light and breeze.
The endless textures of the bark captured my imagination this year.
The endless textures of the bark captured my imagination this year.

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Promise.
Promise.
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This was the first of three hearts that I found, there is abundant love in nature.

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I have shared only a few from that morning, I am including a link to my Cherry Blossom album on flickr, if you would like to spend a few more moments dreaming of spring.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/134328797@N02/albums/72157664182278894

Thank you for wandering the Tidal Basin with me, wishing you and your house a peace filled spring.

Love, Terri

 

 

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Terri Written by:

I am a wife and mother of two sons. Our eldest, Justin, was killed in a car accident September 27, 2010, he was 25 years old.

10 Comments

  1. Lisa
    March 28, 2016

    Absolutely stunning! What great shots, Terri! Thank you for sharing!

    • March 29, 2016

      Thank you Lisa for taking the time to wander the tidal basin again with me! What an incredibly perfect and special day. Out of a million souls, there you were on the bridge! Wishing you a peace filled week!

  2. Hi Terri! I was going to say, “Absolutely gorgeous!” and saw that Lisa had about the same reaction. So very beautiful and a chance to see something I usually never get to see. Thank you so much for sharing your eye and the beauty where you live. ~Kathy

    • March 29, 2016

      Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for the gift of your time to visit and for your kind words. DC is beautiful, especially in the springtime. We were surrounded by folks from all over the world and there was such a feeling of camaraderie and joy. Beauty has a way of building bridges and bringing people together. Wishing you a very peace filled day.

  3. Betsy Wuebker
    March 29, 2016

    What beautiful photos. The “Serenity” one is my favorite. Such a striking perspective. I’ve never visited Washington, D.C. but would love to do so at this time of year.

    • March 29, 2016

      Hello Betsy! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and share DC with me. I hope you get to visit one day. I know DC is in the news an awful lot about politics and ugliness, but that is not the city we know. People are kind and friendly and there are oodles of parks and walking spaces. Wishing you a very peace filled day!

  4. March 29, 2016

    My late Dad always wanted to see the DC Cherry Blossoms. He never made it down there. Never let your dreams sit – these are lovely pictures, especially the ones taken during the golden hour. I’ve been to the Cherry Blossom festival in Macon, GA but never the one in Washington, DC.

    • March 31, 2016

      Dear Alana, thank you for the gift of your time and your note. I am so sorry that your Dad did not get to see the Cherry Blossoms. We try to hold that thought close about not letting our dreams sit, we spent many years thinking dreams were indulgent, now we know they are the stuff of life. Wishing you a beautiful spring and some gentle moments.

  5. Momof3misses
    April 21, 2016

    Gorgeous! I see these every year and they still leave me in awe. The crowds, however do not! How close are you to DC?

    I wil be thinking of you on Saturday as you tell your story in Baltimore, I so wish I could attend. I will be attending the event in Roslyn in May and so looking forward to that.

    • April 21, 2016

      Good Morning Kelly! Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I love the Cherry Blossoms also! We are about an hour north west of DC. Close enough to slip down for the day or an event. My husband used to work in downtown DC and Northern VA, so he knows the area – I would be hopelessly lost! The crowds got intense as the day wore on, we left the Tidal Basin around 11:30 am and wandered elsewhere and then circled back for the evening. We also went on a Thursday which helped.

      Thank you for all your good thoughts. I sort of want to throw up when I think about it! I just remind myself to breathe. I hope to attend the DC show with some of the cast from Baltimore! I cannot wait to attend.

      Wishing you a very peace filled spring day.

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