George Washington may have…

…chopped down the cherry tree, but Japan sent some replacements. Spring has alledgedly come to Washington, DC. During a season full of rainy 50 degree days, I managed to find a clear and sunny morning to take in the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom.

The Jefferson Memorial framed by cherry blossoms.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a busy and exciting time in Washington, though it is one that I have avoided for the first 4 springs that I have lived in this area. While the blossoms certainly didn’t disappoint, the crowds around the Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument did make taking photographs a challenge. It was an exercise of waiting for people to pass and ducking under the camera range of others.

Early morning sun lights up the east side of the Washington Monument.

The bright early morning light, blue sky, and pink blossoms combined for some strong photographs. While walking through downtown, I found that I enjoyed the Washington Monument better with the cherry blossoms. This might have been because it was easier to maneuver, but I’m going to say it was the dramatic angle of the light.

Washington, DC provides many opportunites to enjoy the monuments to some our nation’s founders. But some of the best perspectives come from exploring off of the beaten path. One of my favorite shots from my morning with the cherry blossoms came from an approach to the Washington Monument from the southwest. From this direction, I approached the monument from a grove of cherry trees and I found a nice window for the shot.

Washington, DC is a great city to explore and while the Cherry Blossom Festival is not one of my favorite events in DC, the beauty of the blossoms is unrivaled. For additional photos of Washington, DC, please feel free to visit my DC Gallery.