You have to live in Japan to appreciate the significance of Cherry blossoms. After months of wet and gray, bone-chilling winter weather, there is a brief pause before the draining humid heat of summer.  During this interlude, the weather warms to a pleasant temperature and the thousands of leafless trees suddenly burst forth with white blossoms and soft pink highlights.  They glow overhead like softly lit flickering stars in the daylight.  Every year the Cherry blossoms appear with near precise timing.  Families flood out of their homes and into the neighborhood parks.  During the first weekend, when the Cherry trees are in full bloom, Japan seems to be a peaceful, calm country where parents and children take strolls  together and eat picnics on the grass.  It doesn't last, but it's a hopeful moment.

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The Blessing

This descending bouquet of blossoms reminds me of peaceful moments and mornings filled with new hope.

Inochi

This is my wife's favorite.  She feels the picture exudes warm happiness and life.

Ebana (Laughing Branch)

The flowers cascading down from the top of this picture like a waterfall reminds me of laughter, or the world viewed through tears of laughter.

Bouquet of Blossoms

A simple, beautiful bouquet of blossoms crowded together and facing outward.  

Blossoms and Trees

The trees in the background seem disordered and in chaotic motion compared with the quiet moment of rest the the flowers occupy at the center.

Glowing

I like the way the light passes softly through and brings out different hues and textures.  I also like the way that many blossoms appear as a unified pattern.

Moving from the Light

This picture isolates the relationship between light and time and flowers in motion through time.

Delicate

Cherry blossoms are beautiful and delicate.  They have a week to "live" and then fall down like snow when the first strong wind or rain comes along.

Strength

A group of blossoms take hold of a strong branch and stand in sunlight filtering from above.

Ripples

Some lens flare created a nice effect.  The bottom corner provides a dark and unmoving source, but the rest of the picture is all light and motion as sunlight passes through the center.

Cherry Blossom Party

A couple of families throw down blankets for a picnic under the Cherry blossoms in a neighborhood park.  Children run and play while cameras are in abundance.