Where have all the blossoms gone?

I have to admit I always get a little sad when the last blossoms of the Cherry Blossom tree have fallen, and these trees that once stood apart from all the rest in soft pick glory and welcomed over a million visitors, have now faded back into the landscape and are barely indistinguishable from the rest of the trees.  (I’m sure there’s a nice little parable on humility in there somewhere.)

Sometimes I can’t even bring myself to go back to the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC during the non-blooming season just because I want the memory of the fragrant pink puffs that outline the blue water to remain being the last memory in my mind of those trees.  (I’m sure that’s a big part of why I always take so many photographs of them!)

I’ve included below some of the last images of the blossom season this year around the Tidal Basin.  I did bring myself to go back after the blossoms have all gone this time and have included the iconic Pagoda as the closing image, with and without the blossoms.

So until next year… Enjoy!