This morning is the running of the annual Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, which goes around Hains Point and Memorial Bridge area. It means that traffic conditions are difficult this morning, with road closures through much of the Tidal Basin area until late morning.
It's another beautiful spring morning and great weather for the race. There are a lot of people at the Tidal Basin already despite the road closures.
Most trees now have at least a few blossoms out, although most of them have only a handful. They're about ready to really pop, but not quite there yet. There are still only a very small number in full bloom. But even without a full bloom, the Tidal Basin is still a very pleasant place to be this morning, so if you can't make it down midweek, today is a good option.
Even with warm temperatures today and tomorrow, it looks like the peak bloom is going to come at least a day or two later than the NPS forecast. The Capital Weather Gang forecast is for a wider range, extending through Wednesday.
For those interested in camera gear, I'm trying something different today. Rather than use my usual cameras, the folks at Verizon have loaned me a Samsung Galaxy S Camera (not to be confused with the tablet, note, or phone) to test. Because it's connected directly to the cell phone network just like a phone, I'm posting these directly from the Tidal Basin. I'll be putting it through its paces for the cherry blossom bloom and posting a review next week. So I guess it's basically live-photoblogging the cherry blossom blooming (what is they say about watching grass grow?). But it also means that the morning updates should get posted even earlier than usual.
The Japanese Weeping Cherry Trees and Tulip Magnolias are at their prime right now. I've included a couple of examples from this morning below, with a Weeping Cherry next to the Federal Reserve and a beautiful grove of Tulip Magnolias in Rawlins Park (18th and E). If you're looking for a site for engagement photos, the latter is an excellent option. There were some wedding photos being taken there this morning.
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Want to Help Support DC's Cherry Trees?
If you'd like to help support the care and upkeep of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, the Trust for The National Mall has launched an Endow a Cherry Tree Campaign. Donations go to the official Cherry Tree Endowment, which will give the National Park Service additional resources to fund the care, maintenance, and possible replacement of the cherry trees. You can find more information here.
The Trust is dedicated to marshaling private support for maintaining and improving the history National Mall area. I'm not affiliated with the Trust--just an admirer of their efforts.
David says
Sorry you were disappointed. Yes, they reached peak bloom today, and with the warm weather it all started rather suddenly.
Prasanna says
We were there this weekend for the cherry blossom festival and were disappointed.. Except for a few trees there were no blossoms on any of them.. It looks like it will take at least another 2-3 days for it to bloom. Next weekend should be good considering what we saw today. It almost looked like the prediction this year was off.. I am sure thousands of ppl wasted their time and money coming this weekend...