The cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., are a beloved symbol of spring. Their history dates back over a century. In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo gifted the U.S. around 3,000 cherry trees as a symbol of goodwill between the two nations. The first two trees were planted on March 27, 1912.
As spring arrives, the cherry blossoms emerge in a remarkable exhibition of delicate pink and white flowers, drawing visitors from all over the world. The Cherry Blossom Festival features diverse cultural activities honoring the rich traditions accompanying this spectacular natural phenomenon. Seeing the trees in full bloom is a breathtaking experience. This is also the time that draws the most visitors, and it can get very busy. This year, the Yoshino cherry blossom peak was last Friday, March 28, 2025.
I visited the trees on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was very crowded. People were standing in long lines in front of every food truck, and there was no such thing as getting a quick drink or ice cream. Sunday was better. It was still very busy, but it was easier to get around. Due to the rather warm temperatures, rain, and wind, the blossoms won’t last as long. But not all is lost. The Kwanzan cherry trees bloom around two weeks after their Yoshino cousins. They are very beautiful as well.
Below are some of the photos I took over the weekend. I took these pictures with my 13-bladed Helios 44 and Jupiter 11 lenses. The Jupiter 11 performed so well that it challenged my beloved Helios 44. And it won 🙂
I don’t have an answer yet, but the Helios did not perform as usual. I know this lens and its strengths and weaknesses, and I love using it. Many photos were blurry, or the focus was in a seemingly random location, like the bottom right. I used it with my X-E3. It’s all somewhat puzzling.
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