I’m not sure what the allure of the cherry (aka sakura) blossoms is. Has it become a symbol of spring and who doesn’t like the long awaited end of winter? Is there something special about the cherry flower? Or is it more ‘exotic’ than the magnolia that flowers about the same time, or a bit earlier? Why not celebrate the lilac trees? Or other trees that blossom in the spring?
below: A couple of cherry blossoms along with some buds and partially opened flowers.
Although there are a number of places around the city to see sakura trees (14 I think), High Park seems to be the most popular place. True, they have the oldest trees and the most trees planted in one area. It has become the site of an annual pilgrimage by thousands of people to see the blossoms. Even though the ‘sakura watch’ website said that ‘peak’ blossom hadn’t yet arrived, I decided to check out High Park yesterday.
below: Lots of signs to direct pedestrian traffic to the cherry trees. The roads were closed to most cars.
below: There were a couple of school groups there for the morning. Although there weren’t too many blossoms to see, it was a beautiful spring morning and many of the kids were making the most of it.
below: An Instagram moment I suspect.
below: An engagement photo shoot
Yesterday there were many more buds and partially opened flowers than there were blossoms. By the weekend, there will probably be a profusion of white petals… as well as a swarming of people. I had to search for flowers to take pictures of but at least it was a relatively quiet and peaceful morning.
as I walk Toronto 