National Cherry Blossom Festival 2011 - Day 5 in Pictures, Washington, D.C.

Sakura!

The National Park Service reported that peak bloom was yesterday, National Cherry Blossom Festival 2011 day 4 (of 15).  So here is my value-added photo tour of the Potomac River Tidal Basin on the day after, for whatever it may still be worth.

As I stepped out of the Smithsonian Metro station, the rain that the forecasts had threatened for the past three days finally began...just my luck.  But it warmed my heart to see so many others out on the National Mall enjoying Festivaltime on a dark, 40-degree (4.4C) weekday.  Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

I walked west down the Mall to 17th St. and then clockwise around the Tidal Basin before heading north up 17th to the Sustainable Sushi Tasting (see following blog entry).

The rain turned out to be fairly light, so there were plenty of decent Tidal Basin photo opportunities to be had.  The first on the path was the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

The northwest edge of the Basin, which you will later see is the most scenic.

Straight on at Mr. Jefferson.

A nice view of the Jefferson, from the "Ohio Drive / Washington Channel bridge".  That's not the name of it, but Google doesn't say, and I forgot to look.

The first good shot of the George Washington Monument, also from the aforementioned bridge.

The Right Honorable Mr. Jefferson, from his right.  Not particularly Festival, but there I was.

As I've found in previous years, the rear corners of Mr. Jefferson's Memorial grounds provide some of the best blossom photo ops in the whole basin.  This is a slightly later-blooming, pinker variety in front of the classic white Yoshino.

Closer up of "Jefferson's pink".

Even closer up of "Jefferson's pink".

Irony, anyone?  King George III called...he wants his taxes back. (I am not saying I don't support national parks...it should just be the people's choice.)

George Mason, reposing in his peaceful Memorial grotto near Mr. Jefferson and the southernmost point of the Tidal Basin.  It has a fountain (not shown due to lameness).

Mason's view of Washington's monument.  His grotto is secluded by forsythia, tulip trees, and holly (among others).  This was the most colorful shot I could find.  Imagine if the sun was out....

Mr. Jefferson, from his left.

The Japanese Friendship Pagoda from Yokohama (info PDF), with a possibly Japanese photographer and his umbrella-wielding assistant.

The Pagoda with the Washington.

A walkway up to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.  Not many paths are covered by cherry blossoms from both sides.

I like the contrast of ight blossoms against dark holly.

The beginning of the northwest edge of the Tidal Basin, with a possibly Japanese mother and daughter.  Told you it was the most scenic.  The rest of the Basin shots are from this part of the path.

The northwest Basin edge also has some of the best blossoms.  The shot at the top of this blog is also from here.  Perhaps cherry trees prefer being open to the southeast and protected to the northwest, perhaps having something to do with sun direction or wind pattern.

Continuing along the northwest Basin edge.  I suddenly notice everyone seems to have disappeared.  Also, the time is just after 5 p.m.

The last good shot of the Jefferson, quite akin to the first.

Only the second good (solo) shot of the Washington Monument, but now they come fast and furious.

To wit.

And wit.

Et cetera.

A brighter stand, with some arguably interesting elements.

The Japanese Stone Lantern (Ishidourou) (info PDF), with the Jefferson Memorial.  Unfortunately, the stage from the annual Lantern Lighting Ceremony has not yet been removed.

The Stone Lantern, with the Washington Monument.

The most interesting grove of trunks I saw...was still not terribly interesting.  But it was the last Tidal Basin shot.

Heading up 17th St., the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall has a nice tulip tree.

And next door, the American Red Cross National Headquarters, dedicated to the women (nurses) of the American Civil War, has a nice magnolia.

 This is the first photo blog post I've ever attempted and it took me all day, so the sushi-tasting writeup will have to wait until tomorrow.  Oyasumi.