Photography by John Michael

"Preserving the memories so others will remember"™

The Last 2012 Washington DC Cherry Blossoms

Finding a parking pl;ace on the Saturday that they are holding the Cherry Blossom parade in Washington DC is a challenge. Finally I found one on a street near the Potomac River. From there I had trekked down to the Jefferson Memorial to catch the action of the All-Service Drill Team Competition, something that is a true sight to see — rifles with bayonets fixed the spinning and twirling of the nearly 11 pound weapons by these talented members of the military – the Drill teams of the services: US Army, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Air Force, US Coast Guard and the US Merchant Marine.

I had gotten there just as the US Marine Corps began their routine and continued to photograph until they announced the winner for 2012. With the memory card full of hundreds of photos, I walked back around the tidal basin and along the Potomac River – all lined with the cherry trees which normally at this time would still be in bloom, yet a very warm March forced them all to jump out early and now the trees were full of leaves … all except one.

As I approached where my vehicle was parked, there still loaded with blossoms was a cherry tree. An though my extensive inventory of photos from days past includes many cherry blossom photos, it was serendipitous, there was space for one photo remaining on the memory card in the camera. So here up close and personal is “The Last Washington DC Cherry Blossoms of 2012″

For those who missed the spectacular display of color when the other trees were in bloom, sorry, you’ll have to wait until 2013.

Did you see the 2012 cherry blossoms in full bloom?

GHTime Code(s): nc