A Look Back at the Cherry Blossoms

/ Washington DC/

Every spring, for the past 10 years, Bobby & I have been coming to the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  For the first few years, it wasn't always a success because the blossoms only bloom for about 7-10 days.  (Peak bloom lasts for about 2-3 days)  And because we lived so far away, we would have to make our travel plans months in advance.  Sometimes we would get it right, and other years we would completely miss the blossoms.   

It's funny to say, but one of the main reasons I agreed to move to DC was because of this one week...the week the blossoms come to town!  Living here, I am able to visit the tidal basin nearly everyday.  This past spring was no exception!  I literally spent 8-10 hours a day walking around DC and taking in all of it's beauty.  Most days, I was here by sunrise and then back again to see the sunset.   

I wanted to capture every stage of the blossoms.   Unfortunately, the poor weather this spring was the hardest part to deal with.  I think in all...the blossoms only bloomed for 2-3 days this year.  Where as in years past, if the weather holds out, we can get a good week or week-and-a-half of blossoms at their peak.   

But unfortunately, mother nature had other plans...On the 3rd night of peak bloom, a bad wind and rain storm hit and took all of the beautiful blossoms with them :(  I am very thankful to have spent so much time there and wanted to share these images with you today.  Hope you enjoy!

Rainy Day at the National Zoo

/ Washington National Zoo/

A few days ago, I woke up to ANOTHER rainy DC morning.  Not willing to let the rain get me down, I decided to take a trip to our National Zoo.  The zoo has been a popular topic this past week here in DC because of the red panda, Rusty's escape.  Theory has it that extraordinarily heavy rain helped the tall bamboo stalks to lean further than normal into the animal's enclosure.  He apparently used the leaning bamboo to climb out and escape.  Rusty was found a day later wandering the Adams Morgan section of town and is now back in his home. 

Trip to Longwood Gardens

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A few days ago,  I was lucky enough to spend one of the most beautiful days of the year with my mom and dad.  We spent the day at Longwood Gardens, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  While there, I had the opportunity to photograph some of the prettiest flowers I have ever seen. 

The Longwood Gardens story began over 100 years ago with a young philanthropist named Pierre du Pont.  He originally purchased the nearly 1,000 acre property in an effort to save the many trees growing on the land.   Over time, he used his fortune to further develop the land with many fountains and green houses to enhance people's experiences while there.  As early as 1914, du Pont was focused on creating Longwood Inc. which would help to manage the property and continue his legacy for many generations to come. 

I  remember frequenting Longwood Gardens all throughout my childhood and was so pleased to revisit it this week.  I am already looking forward to my next visit!