2021 Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Homepage2021 Washington DC Cherry Blossoms

by David Coleman @ Have Camera Will Travel

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Cherry Blossom Watch Update: September 18, 2015

Tidal Basin, Washington DC

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Cherry Blossom Watch Updates / 2015 Cherry Blossom Watch
Last updated about 5 years ago / Originally published about 5 years ago

DC Cherry Blossoms in 2021

No peak bloom forecasts for 2021 have been issued yet.

It seems increasingly likely that DC will still be under COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2021 while the cherry blossoms are blooming. The Washington DC area is currently assessed at a very high risk level. So it's shaping up to be a good year to follow along from afar from the safety and comfort of your home.

This isn’t really an update as such–I don’t have any new information. But I thought I’d post some photos taken this morning in case anyone was curious about how the cherry trees look during the summer, long after the cherry blossoms have gone and before the leaves have really started turning for the fall.

Pretty soon the trees will start changing color as we head deeper into fall. The colors on the cherry trees aren’t as dramatic as some of the other foliage, but the leaves do turn a mix of yellow, orange, and brown. You can see some photos from November last year here.

And although Washington DC’s main tourist season is winding down after Labor Day, it’s actually a great time to visit DC. Sure, you miss the cherry blossoms flowering and you don’t have events like the summer fireworks, but there are a bunch of other benefits. Temperatures tend toward being more pleasant, with less humidity–stunningly clear days, like today and the past few days, aren’t uncommon. As you can see from the photos, you also won’t be jostled by the throngs as you take in the sites. And one of my personal favorites of the fall comes with the fall equinox, where the sun rises directly in the east. Because of the way the National Mall is lined up directly east to west, you can get some wonderful sunrise silhouettes of the monuments, like this shot I took a little earlier this morning at the Reflecting Pool. Sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to watch an equinox sunrise on a clear morning is something quite special.

It’s still far too early to have any hints as to when the cherry blossoms will bloom in 2016. We’ll have to see how the winter shapes up. A long, cold winter usually suggests a later bloom, while a warm, short winter suggests an early bloom. I’ll be posting the latest updates (when there are some) on the 2016 peak bloom forecasts page. For now, though, we’ll just have to wait and see.

But here are the shots from a beautifully clear and still morning at the Tidal Basin with the trees all decked out for summer.

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - September 18, 2015

Photographing Flowers

At this time of year, there are beautiful flowers to be had all over the place. Maybe in your backyard. Maybe in the local park.

These are ere are some of my favorite books that I've reviewed on taking photos of flowers:

Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to...
Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to...
  • Timber Press OR
  • Detrick, Alan L. (Author)
$20.49
Buy on Amazon
Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis
Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis
  • Focal Press
  • Davis, Harold (Author)
$31.29
Buy on Amazon
By David Coleman

Page last updated about 5 years ago

Latest Development Milestone

Winter Dormant
Green Buds
Florets Visible
Extension of Florets
Peduncle Elongation
Puffy White
Peak Bloom
Green Leaves
Fall / Autumn

Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Buy on Amazon
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
Buy on Amazon

Comments

  1. Merlyn says

    October 18, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    Hi I really love this website and cant wait to continue monitoring the blooming period since that will determine my travel date to DC. I noticed that I was unable to see your pictures. It seems that they’re not available to view…I have checked on my end with my techy friends and nothing. Id really love to see the pictures. Thank you

    Reply
    • David says

      October 19, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Sorry for the glitch. Some technical issues this end with moving the site to a new server but should be fixed now.

      Reply
  2. jkua says

    September 28, 2015 at 12:55 am

    I just noticed in Google Earth/Maps, the current satellite imagery of the Mall is from peak bloom this year, on April 11. https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8838311,-77.0394867,1185m/data=!3m1!1e3

    Reply
    • David says

      September 28, 2015 at 8:16 am

      Interesting. Nice catch!

      Reply

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Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 20, 2015
Cherry Blossom Watch Update: November 23, 2015

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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