Sakura Season, 2021

Sakura (cherry blossoms) season has come the earliest since 1953

when government started recording.

Japanese verb "綻ぶ/hokorobu" means "buds turn into blossoms" as well as "people smile".

With the arrival of Sakura season, we can't help smiling but  can't  be off guard against COVID-19.

To take photos,  I walked around in my town or went to and from Nara Park by car 

choosing proper time and places.

Around the Vernal Equinox, early blooming variety "陽光 Yoko", Sunlight Sakura (above and below),

heralds Sakura season.

March 19

One week later, Somei-yoshino were already blooming at Sagi-ike Pond, Nara Park.

March 26

The blossoms on the upper part of the photo below is not Sakura but Kobushi Magnolia.

 Blossoms were sparse on the Sakura branches.

At their best, the area turns into to thick pale-pink clouds.

On a rainy weekend, I spent quiet time at the park in my neighborhood.

March 28

Shooting light-colored Sakura against the rainy sky in a wider view is quite challenging.

I was fortunate with this result, blossoms on the dark twigs under the pearly sky.

Sakura in the softly falling rain brings sense of quiet euphoria.

A couple of days later, "紅豊 Beni-yutaka" were in profusion in the Garden of "Iraka", Nara Park.

April 1

Beni-yutaka has large deeper-pink double flowers like the name "Beni-yutaka" literally meaning "rouge-rich".

 Most of the trees in the garden are fine and massive.

Beyond Beni-yutaka is "八重紅枝垂れ Yae-beni-shidare", double weeping  Sakura.

 Yae-beni-shidare

Flowers of Somei-yoshino start drifting from branches in a week from their opening.

The area is hazy pink as far as the eye can see with blossoms on the branches and  confetti-like petals 

on the ground.

Petals of Sakura is spring delicacy to deer.

Looking up, red flowers and fresh leaves of Japanese Maple were shining in the backdrop of Sakura.

Free and comfortable!

Kasugano-enchi Fields

Again at Sagi-ike Pond, the area looked like to be enveloped in floating pink clouds.

I saw the painter (#4 image) again at his regular place.

Blossoms of Somei-yoshino were mostly over in that nearby park this afternoon.

April 5

 In spite of the creeping-up infections, State of Emergency was lifted up three weeks ago

leaving the subtle but bold handling to local governments.

Because the effect of it was fading  as prolonged restrictions without legal authority

only made people tired of self-restraint and less cautious.

People look to have gotten used to the new life style not to give or catch the virus

while the new corona variant looks formidable.

Infection number is rapidly rising again.

BTW, these are the commemorative photos of Shichi-Go-San (7.5.3) celebrated last year,

Y for the seventh and M for the third year.

Y's front tooth fell off on the way to the photo studio prior to the rite at a shrine.

She turned 8 on the 1st of April.

The youngest M enjoyed photo shooting so much and cried when she had to undress.

Photos of photos

Linked to Mosaic Monday