Photo Sunday – Washington DC Cherry Blossom Pics

Millions of people come to Washington DC each spring to join in our rite of Spring, Japanese Cherry Blossoms.

Until about 5 years ago, I never thought I would find myself working in Washington DC, but stepping out of my office onto Pennsylvania Avenue, I marveled at my surroundings once again. From the sidewalk I can see the Capitol Dome, Freedom Plaza, the National Theater, the Willard Hotel and the entrance to the White house. How lucky am I? I was about to find out.

Strolling across Constitution Avenue toward the National Mall, wind grabbed at my tie, throwing it over my shoulder. 3,000 Japanese Cherry trees, a gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington in 1912, soon came into sight behind the Washington Monument.

It is difficult to describe this place, around the tidal pool, but give me your imagination, and I will give you Washington DC in Spring.

There is a feeling that goes through a place of beauty, especially one which is shared in equal congress with peoples from all over the world. Washington DC is such a place, and this spring day, surrounded by the beauty of life in bloom, brought it all together.

Retired Midwest Grandparents and I-pod wearing Russian teenagers walked together under the undulating Cherry Blossom branches. The fragrant breeze, blowing across the water of the Tidal Basin, brought to my ears the sound of of laughing children as I started to photograph what I knew would not not even come close to the beauty that I was experiencing.

Like fluffy pink cotton balls, the blossoms just begged to be touched, to be plucked, to be brought to the nose and inhaled like some some life giving potion.

The sun cast an aurora, a halo of pink through the treetops as the squirrels tripped and frolicked amongst branches over my head.

Across the cold waters, the Jefferson Memorial winks in an out of view between the flower laden branches, offering the observer first one then another view of beauty.

How far down the blossom path could I allow myself to travel, before the commitment call of offices and phone calls forced me to turn back? As is always the case, not far enough. With regret, I turned around, only to find just as much  beauty behind me, as had lain before me.

As I left this natural wonderland, I took a moment to observe a small group of tourists. For a moment, my heart went out to them. “They don’t get to enjoy the beauty and wonder of our Capitol City every day,” I thought. But then I remembered living on the shores of Lake Michigan and in the Mountains of Colorado. I thought back on the un-named lake in Maine where I camped on the pebble shore while hiking the A.T. I thought of the quaint little town of Telgte Germany where I spent many years, and of all the other wonderful places I have called home and have visited.

I realized that there is beauty where ever we go. There is uniqueness every time we turn the corner. I’ve tried to bring you the beauty, of part of my world. Please try to find and realize, the beauty in your own.

Adam Shake

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2. Photo Sunday – Sounds of Nature