Washington DC cherry blossoms

VisualXpressions · March 27, 2008

Anyone interested in hooking up for a photo shoot of the cherry blosoms in our Nation's Capital? The predicted peak this year is March 27th - April 3rd... Here are a few shots from 2 years ago...

If interested... let me know which day works best... I think the blosoms should be good through the 9th of April...

Winston

aj986s · March 27, 2008

Those are fantastic pics! My wife and I are hoping to visit early on Monday for a couple of hours. Its been several years since we've trekked into DC for the blossoms.

As I commute into SW DC, I drive by the Tidal Basin every day. The Cherry Blossoms are just starting to bloom. I think by next week they'll be at peak. Hopefully the weather will be nice, and keep them on the trees as long as possible. Parking around there continues to be a major pain. The lot closest to the Tidal Basin is now closed, but they've opened a new lot on Haines Point, with free shuttle buses. If you're planning to drive in, come early. Subway is always a good option; Smithsonian station is closest to the blooms, about a 6-8 block walk. Also several Tour Bus options available. Many have stops near major Metro Stations, like Union Station, and circulate amongst the popular sights. And you can get day passes to hop on & off the bus all day.

HarveyMushman · March 27, 2008

From yesterday:

Lots of wet, cloudy weather is predicted for the next few days, unfortunately, although Sat. and Sun. might be okay. Doesn't help commuters like me though, nor does the lunchtime light when I do get a chance to go walk-about.

Ann McRae · March 27, 2008

Will these still be shootable the following weekend - April 12?
How much of a trip is it from Boston to DC?

eoren1 · March 27, 2008

Hey Winston,
I would love to meet up down there!
I went down yesterday to check out the trees and was disappointed to see how few had blossomed. The ones on the mall seem to be near peak though.
I think Saturday/Sunday should offer us full bloom provided we don't loose any over the next two days of rain.
I'm planning to visit again very early Saturday morning. My 2 year old will wake me at 6 and I'm hoping to be out the door by 7 to snag one of the few parking spots.
Don't forget, the kite festival is this Saturday as well.
E

ps: here's a webcam of the tidal basin (I can only get it to work in Internet Explorer):
http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/cherry-blossom-web-cam.htm

schmoo · March 27, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

Will these still be shootable the following weekend - April 12?
How much of a trip is it from Boston to DC?

Yikes that's quite a trip! About 9-10 hours, I would estimate. Not including traffic.

Ann McRae · March 27, 2008

schmoo wrote:

Yikes that's quite a trip! About 9-10 hours, I would estimate. Not including traffic.

Guess I was thinking of using an airplane!

Tee Why · March 27, 2008

What nice colors. I like the 4th one the best.

eoren1 · March 27, 2008

Hi Ann,
The Cherry Blossom Parade is actually on April 12th this year. There should still be plenty of blossoms but they will have passed their peak. The trees will likely be less full but it is still a great time to visit DC.
The flight is very easy. US Airways runs real planes as opposed to the 20 person planes from American and United.
Eyal

Foochar · March 27, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

Guess I was thinking of using an airplane!

If going the airplane route I would give substantial preference to flying into Regan National instead of the other Baltimore/DC area airports (BWI and Dulles). The Metro (DC Subway system) has a station at Regan National. With the other airports you are looking at 1) Renting a car (and you don't want to be driving in DC during Cherry Blossom time), 2) Taking a Taxi, or 3) Taking a shuttle bus from the airport to the metro and vice versa.

Ann McRae · March 27, 2008

This sounds kind of promising. Any of you close to DCers want to meet me for this? I have to make a decision right away about coming home on Friday or getting a weekend shoot, and I am not brave enough to do this alone! No one has replied in the Boston thread and I'd hate to let the opp go by the way side!

ann

TPBinKC · March 27, 2008

I am in flying in the afternoon of the 13th for a couple days. I am hoping to catch at least a few blossoms. I was there last year and took a couple shots but I had a toddler in tow and was not able to focus on shooting very well.

Airedrifter · March 28, 2008

I'll be down there tomorrow for the kite festival and the cherry blossoms.

Phyxius · March 28, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

This sounds kind of promising. Any of you close to DCers want to meet me for this? I have to make a decision right away about coming home on Friday or getting a weekend shoot, and I am not brave enough to do this alone! No one has replied in the Boston thread and I'd hate to let the opp go by the way side!

ann

Ann,
I can do Saturday and I can pick you up (and drop you off) at any of the local airports, but if the parade is going on I'd probably suggest metro for actually going around DC. I have a smarttrip card for parking and they have little paper temp cards. There's a metro stop a short walk from the tidal basin right on the mall. I'll remember my allergy medicine!

schmoo · March 28, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

This sounds kind of promising. Any of you close to DCers want to meet me for this? I have to make a decision right away about coming home on Friday or getting a weekend shoot, and I am not brave enough to do this alone! No one has replied in the Boston thread and I'd hate to let the opp go by the way side!

ann

I might actually be up for something like this. I have a dislike of DC and it's traffic, but Dgrinners make everything better.

Don't know yet if I'll be in town (were you talking about tomorrow or 2-3 weeks from now?) but send up the flare when you're sure.

Ann McRae · March 28, 2008

Yipee!

April 12th (evening of the 11th maybe). I'll see about flying out of DC rather than Boston.

ann

Angelo · March 28, 2008

schmoo wrote:

Yikes that's quite a trip! About 9-10 hours, I would estimate. Not including traffic.

or 2 -3 hours on AMTRAK

Ann McRae · March 28, 2008

Angelo wrote:

or 2 -3 hours on AMTRAK

Hey Angelo - I checked. It is 6hrs+ by Amtrak and within $20 either side of airfare on United. Train might be fun way to spend some time though..

RogersDA · March 28, 2008

If you all will take me I will try and join up.

FYI: Good lunch can be had at the American Indian Museum. Much, much better than any other museum eatery. It may well be packed that day, but just giving food for thought.

RogersDA · March 28, 2008

More information from today's Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/features/2008/cherry-blossom-festival/index.html

Basically, bloom period from the 26th of March to the 9th of April, with peaks predicted to be from the 27th through the 3rd.

Foochar · March 28, 2008

RogersDA wrote:

More information from today's Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/features/2008/cherry-blossom-festival/index.html

Basically, bloom period from the 26th of March to the 9th of April, with peaks predicted to be from the 27th through the 3rd.

Even if you miss the cherry blossoms there is still PLENTY to shoot in D.C. In addition to "touristy" stuff like the monuments and museums you have things like the national arboretum, and the national zoo, including giant pandas, and admission to both is free. I wish I didn't have significant prior commitments that weekend, because I keep seeing the number of Mid-Atlantic dgrinners that we have on here, and keep thinking that we need to organize some sort of meet and shoot in the area...

RogersDA · March 28, 2008

Foochar wrote:

Even if you miss the cherry blossoms there is still PLENTY to shoot in D.C. In addition to "touristy" stuff like the monuments and museums you have things like the national arboretum...

Great info, Travis. For out-of-towners that might not know the National Arboretum is not the same as the National Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Gardens is right next to the Capitol Building 9there are some small gardens near the main Botanic Garden that are outdoors). The National Arboretum is a bit farther away (and much larger and mostly outdoors).

Ann McRae · March 29, 2008

Alright then, who can make a shoot on April 12th?

I'll reply first - I can!

ann

eoren1 · March 29, 2008

First day out shooting the cherry blossoms
I made it down to the tidal basing just in time for sunrise this morning (with my not-at-all pleased two year old son in tow. The blossoms aren't yet at peak but look much better than they did when I scouted the area two days ago. I'm planning on going back for sunrise either Wednesday or Thursday. Hopefully will be able to shoot a sunset as well.
Not sure where these shots 'fit' but thought I would post them here.
E

JonMikal · March 29, 2008

dmmattix · March 30, 2008

JonMikal wrote:

Gorgeous shot. Thanks for posting.

eoren1 · March 30, 2008

Hey Jon,
That is a really great shot! Mind sharing some info on it (location, time, settings)?
Thanks!
E

Phyxius · March 30, 2008

Ann,
I'm currently scheduled to work that Friday night until 6pm. So depending on flight time and where you're landing I may need to rearrange that with someone at work, but either way I'm still good to go!

It'd be great to see some other dgrinners too! And, Ann, I know a Tapa place in DC since the one in Canada was closed when we were there.

Ann McRae · March 30, 2008

Phyxius wrote:

Ann,
I'm currently scheduled to work that Friday night until 6pm. So depending on flight time and where you're landing I may need to rearrange that with someone at work, but either way I'm still good to go!]

Great!

It'd be great to see some other dgrinners too! And, Ann, I know a Tapa place in DC since the one in Canada was closed when we were there.

:thwak

Phyxius · March 30, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

Great!

:thwak

Oh I called the other person at work and I'm good to go at 4pm!

VisualXpressions · March 31, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

Alright then, who can make a shoot on April 12th?

I'll reply first - I can!

ann

I can make it on the 12th as well... Let me know where and what time everyone wants to meet?

Winston

Washington DC cherry blossoms

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