Catching the Spring Blossoms in Washington DC

March 31st was the peak of the cherry and magnolia blossoms, what a special, sunny, perfect day to enjoy Spring!  People from many nationalities were walking around the Cherry Blossom Festival area near the National Mall and cameras were clicking every second. There must be thousands of photos on the web covering the beauty of  Washington DC.  Here are a few more :-)

Ian and I drove to Haines Point in the morning to look for birds and blossoms, then we met up with Joe at 3:30 pm, his usual get off work time. We took the metro in the afternoon, parking was extremely scarce and the metro is easy.

A very cooperative Ring-billed Gull at Haines Point.

So very, many blooming trees, I took a whole lot of photographs. It looks good in photographs, but in real life it's truly stunning!

After many years of shooting birds I finally got one in flight that has the body in focus!

Cherry tree blossoms.

Reagan Airport opposite Haines Point.

Budding willow tree.

Getting the metro at Pentagon City, a block from our apartment.

Daffodils.

Joe.

Ian.

Hirshorn Museum bag people sculptures with Joe and Ian.

Ian, me and Magnolia blossoms.

The Castle  and more blooming Magnolias.

Weeping Cherry.

Magnolias.

Enid's gardens at the Castle.

Magnolia blossom up close.

United States Botanic Garden: a great place to feel Spring.

Today, March 2nd, the snow storm that put 12 inches in parts of Maine and New Jersey produced 2 to 3 inches in Pentagon City, Virginia.

This photo was taken from our balcony and the red circled area shows the senior center and library. I'm planning on playing basketball, pickleball and doing yoga at the Aurora Hills Senior Center, now that I qualify as a senior.  Such perks for being only 56 years old!

March 2nd, 2009. From the Washington Post this morning 

After a very slow start, the storm that looked like it could be a complete total dud (in the snowfall department) came on strong overnight. Temperatures crashed, winds strengthened and many parts of the metro area now have 2-4" of snow on the ground.  With winds of 20-30 mph, the snow which has fallen may blow around in open areas. Temperatures will remain below freezing and mostly in the low-to-mid 20s while the snow continues.

Last Weekend

Joe, Ian and I went to the United States Botanic Garden  to breath in the warm, flowered air inside the huge indoor gardens of the Conservatory. The Botanic Garden has been in operation and open to the public since 1850 and was the dream of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, who would have thought?  The Botanic Garden believes in the importance of plants to the well-being of our citizens, our nation and the world. I support that!

It is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America and it's free. Ian and I had a great time photographing all the beautiful flowers.

The 3 of us took the Metro to L'Enfant stop and walked several blocks to the Botanic Garden. Great views of the Capital on the way. 

Frozen pond in front of the Conservatory with gulls.

Me, photo by Joe.

Joe and Ian humoring me while I tried to make them 'hold' the Capital.

Wow, beautiful vistas everywhere!

Bromeliad flower.

Amaryllis. 

Orchids.

The National Museum of the American Indian where we rounded out a lovely day with a late lunch. The selection of vegan and vegetarian cuisine was incredible, definitely the best food on the National Mall.

Cool building, too.