In Praise of Sakura, 2017

 My first photos of this year's Sakura (cherry blossoms) season in Nara Park 
were single-petaled weeping cherry tree blossoms.

Their graceful cascading branches are covered with soft pink flowers.

On a chilly, cloudy day after the rain, I walked around Nara Park.

This is 紅豊 Beniyutaka at the Japanese Garden of the New Public Hall of Nara.

April 9th

八重紅枝垂れ Yae-Benishidare, multiple-petaled weeping cherry tree, 

was just starting to flower.

One week later on a warm, sunny day, the Yae-Benishidare was at its best.

Back to the chilly, cloudy day,
under the pearly grey sky, 染井吉野 Somei-yoshino were blooming
 in all their glory at Kasugano Field.

April 9th

The view of the Five-storied Pagoda of Kofuku-ji from Ara-ike Pond
on my way back to Nara Station.

Blooms of Somei-yoshino indicates full arrival of spring,

because their buds open when temperature reaches 15 degrees

and burst into bloom at 18 degrees.

However, winter-like chilly weather has made the bloom time longer as well as 
delayed it by several days to a week this year.

 On the day of the entrance ceremony to her elementary school,
F was happy walking proudly with her brand-new raspberry pink "randosel"
under the canopy of cherry blossoms.

April 10th

The youngest Y has entered kindergarten.
He is a member of the youngest Sunflower Class.

Since Somei-yoshino is the most widely planted flowering cherry in Japan,
you can see the blossoms almost everywhere during Sakura season.

At the park in my neighborhood

 Swing, swing, up to the sky ...♬

This week, Sakura is going to be over at last in my part of the world.

Sakura has the most beautiful way of saying farewell.

A soft breeze stirs pale-pink snow of petals from the branches.

Along the Saho River, April 15th

In the photo below, most of the flowers have gone and leaves appeared

while flowers are seen on the thick branch.

I love falling petals as much as fresh blooms.

Pale pink confetti on the green carpet.

 April 16th

Thank you, Sakura, for spreading beauty, elegance, grace, and courage.
See you next year!

Linked to Our World Tuesday

Weekend Reflections