Cherry Blossom Update
By Patty Hankins & Bill Lawrence
One of the first sure signs of spring in the Washington, DC area is when the local press starts giving the Cherry Blossom Updates. The combination of the blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin on the Mall and the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival signal the beginning of the tourist season here in the nation's capital.
According to the National Park Service, Peak Cherry Bloom this year will be from March 26 to April 4. Peak bloom is defined as when 70% of the trees are blooming. It can last for up to 2 weeks - and is a sight to be seen. Photographing the cherry blossoms is an annual event for many photographers in the area. Not only can you enjoy the flowers, but you can also check out what sorts of gear all the other photographers are using. It's not uncommon for there to be 25 - 50 photographers with tripods lined up before sunrise on weekend morning waiting to catch the perfect light on the Jefferson Memorial surrounded by the blooming cherry trees. More information about the Peak Bloom is available on the National Park Service website at http://www.nps.gov/nacc/cherry/index.htm
If the Peak Bloom lasts as long as the Park Service is currently predicting, there may be a spectacular opportunity for some night photography in conjunction with this year's bloom. There will be a full moon in Washington, DC the weekend of Apr 4. On the night of the 4th, sunset is at 6:35 PM and moonrise is at 5:54 PM. The next night - on the 5th, sunset is at 6:36 PM and moonrise is at 7:06 PM. If the weather is good, I'm sure there will be a line of photographers and tripods around the tidal basin, hoping for a photo of a full moon, cherry blossoms and the Jefferson Memorial. Schedule and weather permitting, we'll be among them.
In conjunction with the blooming of the trees is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This year's festival runs from March 27 to April 11 - so it looks like the tress will actually be in bloom for the festival this year. In addition to the blossoming tress, the Festival provides some great opportunity for photography. The Cherry Blossom Parade and the Japanese Street Festival are scheduled for April 3. In addition there are daily cultural performances at the Tidal Basin. More information about the Cherry Blossom Festival is available at http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=390 One other Washington, DC event that is occurring at the same time as the Cherry Blossom Bloom this year is the 28th Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival on Saturday March 27th. The Kite Festival takes place on the National Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. We went to Kite Festival last year and were amazed at the colors and shapes of all the kites filling the sky. More info on the Smithsonian Kite Festival can be found at http://kitefestival.org/
So if you'll be in the Washington, DC area in the next few weeks, be sure to bring your camera. There will be lots of great photo opportunities. Have fun!
For tips on Photographing the Cherry Blossoms, please visit our newsletter archives for an article that ran in the March 2003 issue of HLI PhotoNotes, available at http://http://www.hankinslawrenceimages.com .
Patty Hankins & Bill Lawrence are the co-owners of Hankins-Lawrence Images, LLC, a digital photography company based in Maryland. HLI Photonotes, their monthly ezine, provides information and tips for photographers. To subscribe email hl_images@earthlink.net with subscribe in the subject or visit http://http://www.hankinslawrenceimages.com.