Sakura Sakura
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.
Traditional Japanese Song
As promised, here is a tour of the University of Washington Quad, with its famous Yoshino cherry trees, which perfectly compliment the pink stone and brick Gothic architecture of the campus buildings.
The trees are nearly at the end of their life span, but are such beloved harbingers of spring that replacement trees are already being grown in a nursery in northern Washington.
When I was growing up, we spent several years living in a small coastal village in Japan. We loved participating in the many wonderful annual festivals there, and Hanami, the Cherry Blossom Festival, was always a highlight. (I can even still sing all the words to that song in Japanese, but don’t worry, I won’t make you listen to a recording of that!)
My favorite image of the day is this one, taken by D:
How lovely that future generations will be able to experience this beauty and wonderment, when the new Yoshinos are installed. We are not as easily replaced as aging trees, and it is what we create each day that will determine our legacy for the future. Let’s make it as memorable and bright as a blue-skied, pink-blossomed day in spring.Wishing you a magical weekend!
xo
– g
– g
Gorgeous photos again! I mentioned you on my blog today, if you like you can see it here http://kootutmurut.blogspot.com/2010/03/viikonloppulukemista-weekend-reads.html
Georgianna, Fantastic. Breathtaking. Thanks for letting us also experience.
I love this. This is Spring transcience. I drew a Sakura elf because of my love for these blossoms. They represent so much to so many. These on your post are exquisite and bring me to their soft breeze filled limbs. Gorgeous. Thanks for the beautiful words friend, I value such like you. Blessings.
Wow, what a beautiful university campus and stunning photos.
Beautiful photos! You captured my favorite time of year – that time when you can look up and the sky seems to be made of blossoms – of course, one has to be under a blooming tree, but I think you know what I mean ;-).
This is my first comment..Your job is always amazing, but these photos leave me breathless!!
Have a nice weekend!
Stefania
OMG, Im in love with your site, The cherry blossoms are amazing, One of my favourites, amongst many, I will have to grab a cup o tea and enjoy the rest of your posts. Have a great weekend
Spectacular sight! I really can't believe I've never gone to the campus to have a look! Shame on me!
this is fabulous, I love your story living on a coastal village in Japan and how your surrounding in the US echoes the japanese cherry blossom festival :) yesterday, I wandered in search of the precious petals and could not find a single one, maybe they are waiting spring day next week-end ! Meanwhile, I enjoy being on your blog :)
oh thank you so much, what a magical place. We are still in the grips of winter, my daffodils refusing to open in the cold, I don't blame them! It feels like Spring will never arrive! I am currently working on a new illustration with cherry blossom, so your photos will help with my inspiration :) Have a lovely weekend, Catherine x
oh.so.perfect. *sigh*
Omigosh, that is a breathtaking sight! Wishing you both a wonderful weekend. :)
Sylvia, it's well worth a visit, as you can see! This weekend will probably be the last…
Thank you for your visits and lovely, my friends. I'm happy to share this special place with you. xo – g
Amy – Oh, yes, I love your Sakura Elf, Amy. Delicate and ephemeral, like the blossoms themselves… xo – g
Lovely! I just saw our first cherry trees in bloom this week….made me so very happy! smiles.
Oh, nothing makes me homesick for Japan like cherry blossoms! Hanami season is like nothing else. Your exquisite photos bring it all back…
oh g these are just so full of gorgeous light pink softness, what a pleasure to look through them! you must tell me about your years in japan sometime, it sounds really interesting & i'd love to hear more :)
what an amazing feast of flowers! i've been SO into cherry blossoms and other flowering branches lately, welcome spring…your work is beautiful :-)
One day I will be there … Hanami in Japan. Wonderful! And your pics are so great. Have a nice week!
Those photos are magical… C'est tout :-)
What a beautiful sight this must be! Thanks for sharing a breath of spring. xo
What an incredibly beautiful campus! I adore all the images but especially the macro in the first one. ♥
Holy cow!!! I dream of one day being there to see such beauty for myself. For now, I am more than happy to soak in such beauty through your gorgeous eye.
I love the view through your lens. Your style speaks to me in a way that is only in the heart.
Lovely beyond words.
Truly breathtaking!!
What a great place to be with a camera.
xo.