Although I live in the Washington D.C. area, I didn’t feel like fighting the crowds to get images of the iconic cherry blossoms. However, the blossoming trees in my neighborhood were pretty spectacular too, albeit on a smaller scale.
I think the first two images are Bradford pear trees, the third is a forsythia bush, and I am not sure what kind of tree the final one is. The shapes and colors and lighting make each of these shots quite different, but I think my favorite is the first one, which reminds me of a Japanese painting.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Gorgeous shots, Mike! The first one is my favorite too! 🙂
Thanks. A few folks might like the second one, because it reminds them of the pom-poms that cheerleaders use at sporting events. After a long, gray winter, I really welcome the explosions of color that spring brings.
I like the background colors in that first shot. I don’t recognize the flowers in the last one. There are many white flowered trees that bloom in spring, and it can be difficult to identify them.
We have all kinds of crabapple, cherry, and other kinds of trees in my townhouse neighborhood (there is a requirement to have a tree in the front yard). I don’t know what trees are blooming now, but they are a beautiful purple color.
It sounds like they might be Eastern redbud trees (Cercis Canadensis).
Gorgeous photos, Mike. I’m partial to forsythias myself. I agree with you about fighting the crowds to go downtown. Last time I went I called it the Cherry Blossom Shuffle, there were so many people. Haven’t been back since. I still intend to get over to your marsh to look for the Red-Headed Woodpeckers. Anticipating the traffic over the Wilson Bridge has kept me on this side of the river so far!!
I am hoping the Red-headed Woodpeckers are still there–I haven’t seen them in a month or so. I have the same excuse as you do for not heading over to Maryland. 🙂
I’ve seen some recent lists on ebird that include the Red-Heads. So hopefully, they’re still there!! And yeah, that Beltway traffic dampens many a possible plan! I don’t have to drive it anymore for work, so I avoid it whenever possible!
I can’t wait to see/smell these around home.
Lovely…
The gentleness in these photos is profound, and the first photo literally took my breath away. Thank you Michael. I’m glad you didn’t fight the crowds in D.C., I think the gentleness would have been lost.
Thanks so much. I don’t enjoy photographing nature when in a crowd–I prefer a more solitary communion with nature. It makes me much more attuned to the beauty in the sights, sounds, and smells that surround me.
I fought my way through the crowds, and I can’t say it was an experience that made for serene photography. These are beautiful, and a reminder to look and appreciate what we have in our own backyards.
No blossoms here yet, thanks for sharing yours.
I love the color in that first photo!