It’s Later Than You Think

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Robin S. Kent

Spring is arriving early in Washington, DC this year and time is running out for those wanting to partake of the annual visual treats that emerge after winter every year. The cherry blossoms still have a ways to go, but there is much to be seen already. A good place to start is the Smithsonian Institution’s Enid Haupt Garden on Independence Avenue. I visited it late yesterday afternoon and found the magnolia trees in perfect condition.

Smithsonian 01

Moongate Garden and Smithsonian Castle

(Nikon D810 on tripod, with 24-70mm f.2.8 lens extended to 26mm; exposure: 1/60th sec. @ f/16, ISO 400; two vertical images photomerged)

When I moved to the opposite side of the Moongate pool, another opportunity presented itself.

Smithsonian 02

Magnolia Tree and West Wing, Smithsonian Castle

(Nikon D810 on tripod, with 24-70mm f.2.8 lens extended to 50mm; exposure: 1/30th sec. @ f/16, ISO 400; approximately 45 minutes before sunset)

The above image is a view toward the north. But there was more. The setting sun occasionally found an opening in the clouds and provided a few brief illuminations of the Arts and Industries Building to the east as shown in the image below.

Smithsonian 04

Magnolia Trees, Enid Haupt Garden

(Nikon D810 on tripod, with 24-70mm f.2.8 lens extended to 66mm; exposure: 1/13th sec. @ f/16, ISO 400; approximately 40 minutes before sunset)

Update: A check on the cherry blossoms early this morning (March 11) showed that it will be at least a few days before they are ready for their moment to shine.

37 thoughts on “It’s Later Than You Think”

Susan Portnoy on March 11, 2016 at 10:59 am said:

Wow! So much is blooming already!

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- Robin S. Kent on March 11, 2016 at 12:01 pm said:
  
  Yes, About ten days ago they were forecasting March 31-April 3 as the peak days for the cherry blossoms. Since then the dates have been moved back to about 18 March.
  
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worldlittlelights on March 11, 2016 at 12:14 pm said:

I didn’t expect to see the cherry blossoms this early! Wow spring is already here 🙂 Thank you for sharing. I still remember one of the first blog posts that I read from you is on cherry blossoms.

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- Robin S. Kent on March 11, 2016 at 2:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much. It’s always good to hear from you. I remember that post. That was a particularly active cherry blossom season.
  
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Touring NH on March 11, 2016 at 12:36 pm said:

Wonderful images. Such an early spring this year.

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- Robin S. Kent on March 11, 2016 at 2:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks, I hope it cools down some; the blooms don’t last long when it is so hot.
  
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suza12015 on March 11, 2016 at 1:12 pm said:

My favorite is of the reflected Castle. Beautiful shot!

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- Robin S. Kent on March 11, 2016 at 2:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Greg. Yes, I like that one also. I have to give partial credit to an unidentified woman who was leaving as I walked into the Moongate garden space; she pointed over to a section of water and said something like, “nice reflection over there.” So I went over to investigate and immediately realized how right she was. I looked up to thank her, but she had disappeared.
  
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Sarah Longes - Mirador Design on March 11, 2016 at 2:35 pm said:

Fabulous magnolias 🙂 Ours are just about to start blooming!

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- Robin S. Kent on March 11, 2016 at 5:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much. They are certainly spectacular trees when they are blooming.
  
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  - Sarah Longes - Mirador Design on March 13, 2016 at 7:45 pm said:
    
    Absolutely!! I have a few real favourites at some of the gardens that I visit which will definitely be photographed again this year 🙂
    
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Alexander Lautsyus on March 11, 2016 at 3:35 pm said:

Awesome place and shots. The first one is fantastic!. It looks groundhog was right with early Spring prediction 🙂

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- Robin S. Kent on March 11, 2016 at 5:15 pm said:
  
  Thanks, and I guess the groundhog was on the mark. ALthough for a couple of days it felt like we had skipped spring and gone straight to summer.
  
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  - Alexander Lautsyus on March 13, 2016 at 9:14 am said:
    
    The weather dramatically changed in a few last decades and spring is not long, cool, fresh, and crispy anymore. It comes to the summer weather condition too fast.
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 15, 2016 at 5:24 pm said:
    
    Yes, I have noticed the same thing. Very depressing, I must say. LAst year was pretty good, but unlike the several years before and this year (so far).
    
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Mitch Zeissler on March 14, 2016 at 11:06 am said:

Great shots as usual, Robin! Any sense as to when the cherry blossoms will burst out? The Tidal Basin webcam isn’t showing much indication of imminent blooms: http://www.earthcam.com/usa/dc/cherryblossoms/?cam=washdc

I know the Park Service was predicting this Friday would be the beginning of peak, but I’m not seeing it. Your thoughts?

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- Robin S. Kent on March 15, 2016 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  Yesterday (I checked them out around sunrise) I would have agreed with you, but it is supposed to be 70 degrees tomorrow (if I heard right). I plan to go down in Wednesday morning and check the status again.
  
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  - Mitch Zeissler on March 16, 2016 at 5:37 am said:
    
    Excellent! Please let us know your thoughts afterward.
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 17, 2016 at 3:55 pm said:
    
    Looks like Friday will be a little early. I drove by again at mid-morning today and they still have a ways to go. I might get a glimpse this evening and if so, will put another comment in here about that.
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 17, 2016 at 9:41 pm said:
    
    As of Thursday evening, I believe that that the Cherry Blossoms won’t be ready to photograph on Friday morning. Saturday or Sunday look more likely, but the weather forecast is looking grim. I’ll check again tomorrow and provide an update.
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 18, 2016 at 5:52 pm said:
    
    Friday evening report: Cherry trees around the tidal basin are still pretty tight. I’m guessing Monday as the earliest. Magnolias are getting a little long in the tooth but were still good at Enid Haupt this afternoon. Wheeping cheeries are pretty well out, but those are few and far between. Wheeping willows along the Potomac are nice.
    
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  - Mitch Zeissler on March 19, 2016 at 8:46 am said:
    
    Monday versus Wednesday. Hmmmm. Guess I better start looking at weather forecasts!
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 19, 2016 at 5:43 pm said:
    
    Yes, it’s hard to know what’s going to happen this year. I plan on going down tomorrow to see what happened with the snow/rain.
    
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- Robin S. Kent on March 23, 2016 at 11:08 am said:
  
  Well the radio is reporting peak today and tomorrow but last night it didn’t look like they were that close. But the next few days are probably a good choice. I expect it to be intensely crowded on the weekend and the traditional Easter sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial will add even more traffic.
  
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  - Mitch Zeissler on March 23, 2016 at 12:17 pm said:
    
    I’m planning on hitting it Saturday morning with a buddy of mine. Thank you so much for the updates, Robin!
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 23, 2016 at 5:08 pm said:
    
    OK, good luck! I was driving by this afternoon after scouting a future location and they are almost ready. You should be in good shape on Saturday.
    
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  - Mitch Zeissler on March 24, 2016 at 10:10 am said:
    
    Thanks. Knowing that the parking is going to be a zoo, we plan on walking over from Rosslyn (just a stretch of the legs!).
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 24, 2016 at 5:50 pm said:
    
    That’s a bit of a hike! Good luck!
    
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  - Mitch Zeissler on March 29, 2016 at 9:19 am said:
    
    We made it. A bit tired and sore afterward, but we made it nonetheless! 🙂
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 29, 2016 at 12:59 pm said:
    
    I didn’t get down today or yesterday. How was it?
    
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  - Mitch Zeissler on March 29, 2016 at 2:34 pm said:
    
    My buddy and I went down on Saturday, and it was spectacular then. Dunno about the conditions since then…
    
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Beauty Along the Road on March 14, 2016 at 9:39 pm said:

Surprised to see the magnolias bloom before the cherry blossoms. Gorgeous…

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- Robin S. Kent on March 15, 2016 at 5:28 pm said:
  
  Yes, and they (magnolias) all seem to be pretty consistent around town.
  
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  - Beauty Along the Road on March 15, 2016 at 8:37 pm said:
    
    another cold spell is coming this weekend…I always hate how burnt the blossoms look when they get too cold.
    
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  - Robin S. Kent on March 17, 2016 at 3:56 pm said:
    
    Yes, they even say there might be some slushy snow. We shall see.
    
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denisebushphoto on March 22, 2016 at 11:48 am said:

Love, love, love this set. I can’t decide which I like best… the first or second image??? OK… it’s a tie!

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- Robin S. Kent on March 23, 2016 at 11:11 am said:
  
  Thanks, Denise, glad you liked them. I hope to have some more up soon. This time of year is always hectic with the sudden burst of photo opportunities and the prime time is only a few days.
  
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